diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-bdb/init.c b/servers/slapd/back-bdb/init.c
index b81d6a3853..d0e04377ac 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-bdb/init.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-bdb/init.c
@@ -543,6 +543,10 @@ bdb_db_close( BackendDB *be )
 	struct bdb_db_info *db;
 	bdb_idl_cache_entry_t *entry, *next_entry;
 
+	/* backend_shutdown closes everything, even if not all were opened */
+	if ( !bdb->bi_flags & BDB_IS_OPEN )
+		return 0;
+
 	bdb->bi_flags &= ~BDB_IS_OPEN;
 
 	ber_bvarray_free( bdb->bi_db_config );