diff --git a/libretro-db/libretrodb.c b/libretro-db/libretrodb.c
index e775c11a1c..095697d172 100644
--- a/libretro-db/libretrodb.c
+++ b/libretro-db/libretrodb.c
@@ -564,7 +564,8 @@ clean:
       free(buff);
    if (cur.is_valid)
       libretrodb_cursor_close(&cur);
-   bintree_free(tree);
+   if (tree)
+      bintree_free(tree);
    free(tree);
    return 0;
 }