diff --git a/src/common/container.c b/src/common/container.c
index a231afdc86..ac10d60f0b 100644
--- a/src/common/container.c
+++ b/src/common/container.c
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@ int smartlist_isin(const smartlist_t *sl, void *element) {
 
 int smartlist_string_isin(const smartlist_t *sl, const char *element) {
   int i;
+  if (!sl) return 0;
   for (i=0; i < sl->num_used; i++)
     if (strcmp((const char*)sl->list[i],element)==0)
       return 1;