diff --git a/playtreeparser.c b/playtreeparser.c
index 1b8d91f944..93a8dfefc0 100644
--- a/playtreeparser.c
+++ b/playtreeparser.c
@@ -367,6 +367,9 @@ parse_pls(play_tree_parser_t* p) {
 
   free(entries);
 
+  if (!list)
+    return NULL;
+
   entry = play_tree_new();
   play_tree_set_child(entry,list);
   return entry;