diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-dnssrv/referral.c b/servers/slapd/back-dnssrv/referral.c
index 77cd3fcc3f..6a3abcd69d 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-dnssrv/referral.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-dnssrv/referral.c
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ dnssrv_back_referrals(
 	rs->sr_ref = urls;
 	send_ldap_error( op, rs, LDAP_REFERRAL,
 		"DNS SRV generated referrals" );
+	rs->sr_ref = NULL;
 
 done:
 	if( domain != NULL ) ch_free( domain );