diff --git a/lib/gssapi/test_cred.c b/lib/gssapi/test_cred.c
index 8ae16e95e..12599b53c 100644
--- a/lib/gssapi/test_cred.c
+++ b/lib/gssapi/test_cred.c
@@ -61,8 +61,10 @@ gss_print_errors (int min_stat)
 				  GSS_C_NO_OID,
 				  &msg_ctx,
 				  &status_string);
-	fprintf (stderr, "%s\n", (char *)status_string.value);
-	gss_release_buffer (&new_stat, &status_string);
+	if (!GSS_ERROR(ret)) {
+	    fprintf (stderr, "%s\n", (char *)status_string.value);
+	    gss_release_buffer (&new_stat, &status_string);
+	}
     } while (!GSS_ERROR(ret) && msg_ctx != 0);
 }