diff --git a/libs/apr/file_io/unix/filepath.c b/libs/apr/file_io/unix/filepath.c
index cbf757e9ab..64f1b2fbd4 100644
--- a/libs/apr/file_io/unix/filepath.c
+++ b/libs/apr/file_io/unix/filepath.c
@@ -139,6 +139,9 @@ APR_DECLARE(apr_status_t) apr_filepath_merge(char **newpath,
         if (rv != APR_SUCCESS)
             return errno;
 
+        if (!getpath)
+            return APR_ENOMEM;
+
         /* XXX: Any kernel subject to goofy, uncanonical results
          * must run the rootpath against the user's given flags.
          * Simplest would be a recursive call to apr_filepath_merge