diff --git a/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_mech_switch.c b/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_mech_switch.c
index 6ae64641a..a2e750d7b 100644
--- a/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_mech_switch.c
+++ b/lib/gssapi/mech/gss_mech_switch.c
@@ -451,7 +451,8 @@ _gss_load_mech(void)
 			free((char *)m->gm_mech.gm_name);
 			free(m);
 		}
-		dlclose(so);
+		if (so != NULL)
+			dlclose(so);
 		continue;
 	}
 	fclose(fp);