diff --git a/tests/virnetserverclienttest.c b/tests/virnetserverclienttest.c
index 398b46928c..aa3f0bcf9b 100644
--- a/tests/virnetserverclienttest.c
+++ b/tests/virnetserverclienttest.c
@@ -152,7 +152,8 @@ static int testIdentity(const void *opaque ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
     ret = 0;
  cleanup:
     virObjectUnref(sock);
-    virNetServerClientClose(client);
+    if (!client)
+        virNetServerClientClose(client);
     virObjectUnref(client);
     virObjectUnref(ident);
     VIR_FORCE_CLOSE(sv[0]);