diff --git a/tests/testutilsqemu.c b/tests/testutilsqemu.c
index 906fdf5c1a..cea4f84b14 100644
--- a/tests/testutilsqemu.c
+++ b/tests/testutilsqemu.c
@@ -349,6 +349,9 @@ int qemuTestCapsCacheInsert(virFileCachePtr cache,
             tmpCaps = virQEMUCapsNew();
         }
 
+        if (!tmpCaps)
+            return -1;
+
         if (!virQEMUCapsHasMachines(tmpCaps)) {
             const char *defaultRAMid = NULL;