diff --git a/src/libstrongswan/plugins/x509/x509_ac.c b/src/libstrongswan/plugins/x509/x509_ac.c
index 113306072..3861d7145 100644
--- a/src/libstrongswan/plugins/x509/x509_ac.c
+++ b/src/libstrongswan/plugins/x509/x509_ac.c
@@ -990,6 +990,11 @@ static private_x509_ac_t* build(private_builder_t *this)
 
 	free(this);
 
+	if (ac == NULL)
+	{
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
 	/* synthesis if TRUE or analysis if FALSE */
 	if (ac->encoding.ptr == NULL)
 	{