diff --git a/gtk/gtksearchenginetracker3.c b/gtk/gtksearchenginetracker3.c
index 5ecb2ca211..c9c3eebe98 100644
--- a/gtk/gtksearchenginetracker3.c
+++ b/gtk/gtksearchenginetracker3.c
@@ -97,8 +97,11 @@ finalize (GObject *object)
 
   g_clear_object (&engine->search_query);
   g_clear_object (&engine->search_location_query);
-  tracker_sparql_connection_close (engine->sparql_conn);
-  g_clear_object (&engine->sparql_conn);
+  if (engine->sparql_conn != NULL)
+    {
+      tracker_sparql_connection_close (engine->sparql_conn);
+      g_clear_object (&engine->sparql_conn);
+    }
 
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (gtk_search_engine_tracker3_parent_class)->finalize (object);
 }