diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc_controller.c b/src/lxc/lxc_controller.c
index a9d2d4045f..ea5bc5819c 100644
--- a/src/lxc/lxc_controller.c
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc_controller.c
@@ -1672,7 +1672,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 cleanup:
     virPidFileDelete(LXC_STATE_DIR, name);
-    virLXCControllerDeleteInterfaces(ctrl);
+    if (ctrl)
+        virLXCControllerDeleteInterfaces(ctrl);
     for (i = 0 ; i < nttyFDs ; i++)
         VIR_FORCE_CLOSE(ttyFDs[i]);
     VIR_FREE(ttyFDs);