diff --git a/src/source-pcap-file-helper.c b/src/source-pcap-file-helper.c
index 7a4f67803d..d861f7ee1b 100644
--- a/src/source-pcap-file-helper.c
+++ b/src/source-pcap-file-helper.c
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ void CleanupPcapFileFileVars(PcapFileFileVars *pfv)
             pfv->pcap_handle = NULL;
         }
         if (pfv->filename != NULL) {
-            if (pfv->shared->should_delete) {
+            if (pfv->shared != NULL && pfv->shared->should_delete) {
                 SCLogDebug("Deleting pcap file %s", pfv->filename);
                 if (unlink(pfv->filename) != 0) {
                     SCLogWarning(SC_ERR_PCAP_FILE_DELETE_FAILED,