diff --git a/src/iec61850/server/model/config_file_parser.c b/src/iec61850/server/model/config_file_parser.c
index a05d79dd..7629c7f0 100644
--- a/src/iec61850/server/model/config_file_parser.c
+++ b/src/iec61850/server/model/config_file_parser.c
@@ -476,7 +476,8 @@ ConfigFileParser_createModelFromConfigFile(FileHandle fileHandle)
 exit_error:
     if (DEBUG_IED_SERVER)
         printf("IED_SERVER: error parsing line %i (indendation level = %i)\n", currentLine, indendation);
-    IedModel_destroy(model);
+    if (model != NULL)
+        IedModel_destroy(model);
     return NULL;
 }