diff --git a/libraries/libldap/tls.c b/libraries/libldap/tls.c
index 31b2a3bc74..4be0f16187 100644
--- a/libraries/libldap/tls.c
+++ b/libraries/libldap/tls.c
@@ -1306,7 +1306,7 @@ ldap_start_tls_s ( LDAP *ld,
 
 	/* XXYYZ: this initiates operation only on default connection! */
 
-	if ( ldap_pvt_tls_inplace( ld->ld_sb ) != 0 ) {
+	if ( ld->ld_sb != NULL && ldap_pvt_tls_inplace( ld->ld_sb ) != 0 ) {
 		return LDAP_LOCAL_ERROR;
 	}