diff --git a/erts/emulator/beam/erl_alloc_util.c b/erts/emulator/beam/erl_alloc_util.c
index ec9791e6aad0..7e1d50dd1dbf 100644
--- a/erts/emulator/beam/erl_alloc_util.c
+++ b/erts/emulator/beam/erl_alloc_util.c
@@ -6583,7 +6583,7 @@ realloc_thr_pref(ErtsAlcType_t type, Allctr_t *pref_allctr, void *p, Uint size,
 	    goto restart;
 	}
 
-        if (pref_allctr->atags) {
+        if (pref_allctr->atags && res) {
             set_alloc_tag(pref_allctr, res, type);
         }