diff --git a/gdbus/client.c b/gdbus/client.c
index a21b66a1..f700b7ee 100644
--- a/gdbus/client.c
+++ b/gdbus/client.c
@@ -105,6 +105,11 @@ static gboolean modify_match(DBusConnection *conn, const char *member,
 		return FALSE;
 	}
 
+	if (call == NULL) {
+		dbus_message_unref(msg);
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+
 	dbus_pending_call_set_notify(call, modify_match_reply, NULL, NULL);
 	dbus_pending_call_unref(call);