diff --git a/cont.c b/cont.c
index d77bef3952..4173e5a6b9 100644
--- a/cont.c
+++ b/cont.c
@@ -1255,6 +1255,8 @@ jit_cont_new(rb_execution_context_t *ec)
 static void
 jit_cont_free(struct rb_jit_cont *cont)
 {
+    if (!cont) return;
+
     rb_native_mutex_lock(&jit_cont_lock);
     if (cont == first_jit_cont) {
         first_jit_cont = cont->next;