diff --git a/lib/dns/rbtdb.c b/lib/dns/rbtdb.c
index 1ea814deb3..764c83c018 100644
--- a/lib/dns/rbtdb.c
+++ b/lib/dns/rbtdb.c
@@ -6017,7 +6017,8 @@ addclosest(dns_rbtdb_t *rbtdb, rdatasetheader_t *newheader,
  cleanup:
 	dns_rdataset_disassociate(&neg);
 	dns_rdataset_disassociate(&negsig);
-	free_noqname(mctx, &closest);
+	if (closest != NULL)
+		free_noqname(mctx, &closest);
 	return(result);
 }