diff --git a/src/core/or/relay.c b/src/core/or/relay.c
index 32bb69d25f..51084e2a17 100644
--- a/src/core/or/relay.c
+++ b/src/core/or/relay.c
@@ -2005,9 +2005,10 @@ connection_edge_package_raw_inbuf(edge_connection_t *conn, int package_partial,
   }
 
   if (connection_edge_send_command(conn, RELAY_COMMAND_DATA,
-                                   payload, length) < 0 )
+                                   payload, length) < 0 ) {
     /* circuit got marked for close, don't continue, don't need to mark conn */
     return 0;
+  }
 
   if (!cpath_layer) { /* non-rendezvous exit */
     tor_assert(circ->package_window > 0);