diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-relay/init.c b/servers/slapd/back-relay/init.c
index 7ae96aecbb..d5a3d9ac15 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-relay/init.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-relay/init.c
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ relay_back_db_open( Backend *be )
 		assert( ri->ri_bd );
 
 		/* inherit controls */
-		if ( ri->ri_bd ) {
+		if ( ri->ri_bd->be_controls ) {
 			be->be_controls = ldap_charray_dup( ri->ri_bd->be_controls );
 		}