diff --git a/src/misc2.c b/src/misc2.c
index 6b9ffe1..96813a4 100644
--- a/src/misc2.c
+++ b/src/misc2.c
@@ -4533,8 +4533,9 @@
 	 * This is needed if the parameter path is fully qualified.
 	 */
 	search_ctx->ffsc_start_dir = vim_strsave(search_ctx->ffsc_fix_path);
-	if (search_ctx->ffsc_start_dir)
-	    search_ctx->ffsc_fix_path[0] = NUL;
+	if (search_ctx->ffsc_start_dir == NULL)
+	    goto error_return;
+	search_ctx->ffsc_fix_path[0] = NUL;
     }
 
     /* create an absolute path */