diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/init.c b/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/init.c
index 8054d1a6d2..f369e31bd4 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/init.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/init.c
@@ -218,7 +218,8 @@ ldbm_back_db_destroy(
 	/* should free/destroy every in be_private */
 	struct ldbminfo	*li = (struct ldbminfo *) be->be_private;
 
-	ldbm_shutdown_env(li->li_dbenv);
+	if (li->li_dbenv)
+	    ldbm_shutdown_env(li->li_dbenv);
 
 	free( li->li_directory );
 	attr_index_destroy( li->li_attrs );