diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-bdb/cache.c b/servers/slapd/back-bdb/cache.c
index 671e36b2e7..7cd34038b1 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-bdb/cache.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-bdb/cache.c
@@ -1482,7 +1482,7 @@ bdb_reader_free( void *key, void *data )
 	/* DB_ENV *env = key; */
 	DB_TXN *txn = data;
 
-	TXN_ABORT( txn );
+	if ( txn ) TXN_ABORT( txn );
 }
 
 /* free up any keys used by the main thread */