diff --git a/libraries/libldap_r/tpool.c b/libraries/libldap_r/tpool.c
index b785631213..1b6087f2b8 100644
--- a/libraries/libldap_r/tpool.c
+++ b/libraries/libldap_r/tpool.c
@@ -1031,6 +1031,8 @@ handle_pause( ldap_pvt_thread_pool_t *tpool, int pause_type )
 	{
 		ldap_int_thread_userctx_t *ctx = ldap_pvt_thread_pool_context();
 		pq = ctx->ltu_pq;
+		if ( !pq )
+			return(-1);
 	}
 
 	/* Let pool_unidle() ignore requests for new pauses */