diff --git a/src/conf/networkcommon_conf.c b/src/conf/networkcommon_conf.c
index 3f0896d6b2..7b7a851351 100644
--- a/src/conf/networkcommon_conf.c
+++ b/src/conf/networkcommon_conf.c
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ struct _virNetworkRouteDef {
 void
 virNetworkRouteDefFree(virNetworkRouteDefPtr def)
 {
+    if (!def)
+        return;
     VIR_FREE(def->family);
     VIR_FREE(def);
 }