diff --git a/libflashrom.c b/libflashrom.c
index c336b8c..fd3648f 100644
--- a/libflashrom.c
+++ b/libflashrom.c
@@ -237,6 +237,9 @@
  */
 void flashrom_flash_release(struct flashrom_flashctx *const flashctx)
 {
+	if (!flashctx)
+		return;
+
 	free(flashctx->chip);
 	free(flashctx);
 }