diff --git a/servers/slapd/backend.c b/servers/slapd/backend.c
index 43018f39db..105dffe4f9 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/backend.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/backend.c
@@ -1439,7 +1439,7 @@ backend_attribute(
 
 			rc = backend_operational( op, &rs );
 
-			if ( rc == LDAP_SUCCESS ) {
+			if ( rc == LDAP_SUCCESS && rs.sr_operational_attrs ) {
 				freeattr = 1;
 				a = rs.sr_operational_attrs;
 			}