diff --git a/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c b/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c
index bc5c0e50ec..5bf202e3f6 100644
--- a/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c
+++ b/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c
@@ -650,7 +650,8 @@ nodeDeviceDestroy(virNodeDevicePtr dev)
 
  cleanup:
     nodeDeviceUnlock();
-    virNodeDeviceObjUnlock(obj);
+    if (obj)
+        virNodeDeviceObjUnlock(obj);
     VIR_FREE(wwnn);
     VIR_FREE(wwpn);
     return ret;