diff --git a/src/iec61850/server/model/config_file_parser.c b/src/iec61850/server/model/config_file_parser.c
index 8846ea8b..657fc5ae 100644
--- a/src/iec61850/server/model/config_file_parser.c
+++ b/src/iec61850/server/model/config_file_parser.c
@@ -570,7 +570,8 @@ exit_error:
     if (DEBUG_IED_SERVER)
         printf("IED_SERVER: error parsing line %i (indentation level = %i)\n", currentLine, indendation);
 
-    IedModel_destroy(model);
+    if (model != NULL)
+        IedModel_destroy(model);
     return NULL;
 }