diff --git a/backend/dll.c b/backend/dll.c
index 9b13d3a59..7a505d13f 100644
--- a/backend/dll.c
+++ b/backend/dll.c
@@ -1353,6 +1353,12 @@ sane_open (SANE_String_Const full_name, SANE_Handle * meta_handle)
     }
   free(be_name);
 
+  if (!be)
+    {
+      DBG (3, "sane_open: be is nullptr\n");
+      return SANE_STATUS_NO_MEM;
+    }
+
   if (!be->inited)
     {
       status = init (be);