diff --git a/gtk/gtkfilechooserwidget.c b/gtk/gtkfilechooserwidget.c
index 0c29b31076..9f084a6e77 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkfilechooserwidget.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkfilechooserwidget.c
@@ -2061,6 +2061,9 @@ file_chooser_get_location (GtkFileChooserWidget *impl,
   else
     location = g_file_get_path (dir_location);
 
+  if (!location)
+    location = g_strdup ("");
+
   g_clear_object (&dir_location);
   g_clear_object (&home_location);