--- a/res/res_jabber.c
+++ b/res/res_jabber.c
@@ -2200,7 +2200,9 @@
 		iks_delete(feature);
 	}
 
-	ASTOBJ_UNREF(buddy, ast_aji_buddy_destroy);
+	if (buddy) {
+		ASTOBJ_UNREF(buddy, ast_aji_buddy_destroy);
+	}
 	ASTOBJ_UNREF(client, ast_aji_client_destroy);
 	return IKS_FILTER_EAT;
 }