diff --git a/src/openvpn/dco_linux.c b/src/openvpn/dco_linux.c
index b033f8543ea..3c91606b731 100644
--- a/src/openvpn/dco_linux.c
+++ b/src/openvpn/dco_linux.c
@@ -81,6 +81,12 @@ resolve_ovpn_netlink_id(int msglevel)
     int ret;
     struct nl_sock *nl_sock = nl_socket_alloc();
 
+    if (!nl_sock)
+    {
+        msg(msglevel, "Allocating net link socket failed");
+        return -ENOMEM;
+    }
+
     ret = genl_connect(nl_sock);
     if (ret)
     {