diff --git a/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_init_sec_context.c b/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_init_sec_context.c
index 79750142d..04d16d33b 100644
--- a/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_init_sec_context.c
+++ b/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_init_sec_context.c
@@ -88,6 +88,11 @@ gss_init_sec_context(OM_uint32 * minor_status,
 	 * Find the MN for this mechanism.
 	 */
 	mn = _gss_find_mn(name, mech_type);
+	if (mn == NULL) {
+		if (allocated_ctx)
+			free(ctx);
+		return GSS_S_BAD_NAME;
+	}
 
 	/*
 	 * If we have a cred, find the cred for this mechanism.