diff --git a/degesch.c b/degesch.c
index b65e213..0346867 100644
--- a/degesch.c
+++ b/degesch.c
@@ -532,7 +532,8 @@ app_context_free (struct app_context *self)
 	str_map_free (&self->irc_channels);
 	str_map_free (&self->irc_buffer_map);
 
-	user_unref (self->irc_user);
+	if (self->irc_user)
+		user_unref (self->irc_user);
 	free (self->irc_user_mode);
 	free (self->irc_user_host);