diff --git a/lib/krb5/data.c b/lib/krb5/data.c
index 0a6677de9..d49685d94 100644
--- a/lib/krb5/data.c
+++ b/lib/krb5/data.c
@@ -62,8 +62,7 @@ krb5_data_zero(krb5_data *p)
 KRB5_LIB_FUNCTION void KRB5_LIB_CALL
 krb5_data_free(krb5_data *p)
 {
-    if(p->data != NULL)
-	free(p->data);
+    free(p->data);
     krb5_data_zero(p);
 }