diff --git a/lib/kadm5/destroy_c.c b/lib/kadm5/destroy_c.c
index 15e2b5e2a..5ed85f79f 100644
--- a/lib/kadm5/destroy_c.c
+++ b/lib/kadm5/destroy_c.c
@@ -43,7 +43,8 @@ kadm5_c_destroy(void *server_handle)
     free(context->realm);
     free(context->readonly_admin_server);
     free(context->admin_server);
-    rk_closesocket(context->sock);
+    if (context->sock != rk_INVALID_SOCKET)
+        rk_closesocket(context->sock);
     if (context->client_name)
 	free(context->client_name);
     if (context->service_name)