diff --git a/src/charon-nm/nm/nm_service.c b/src/charon-nm/nm/nm_service.c
index 3ee885a48..67366a067 100644
--- a/src/charon-nm/nm/nm_service.c
+++ b/src/charon-nm/nm/nm_service.c
@@ -329,7 +329,6 @@ static gboolean connect_(NMVPNPlugin *plugin, NMConnection *connection,
 	{
 		g_set_error(err, NM_VPN_PLUGIN_ERROR, NM_VPN_PLUGIN_ERROR_LAUNCH_FAILED,
 					"Failed to create dummy TUN device.");
-		gateway->destroy(gateway);
 		return FALSE;
 	}
 	address = nm_setting_vpn_get_data_item(vpn, "address");