diff --git a/ext/sctp/sctpassociation.c b/ext/sctp/sctpassociation.c
index b7c6864261..23be55faec 100644
--- a/ext/sctp/sctpassociation.c
+++ b/ext/sctp/sctpassociation.c
@@ -216,7 +216,8 @@ gst_sctp_association_finalize (GObject * object)
   }
   G_UNLOCK (associations_lock);
 
-  g_thread_join (self->connection_thread);
+  if (self->connection_thread)
+    g_thread_join (self->connection_thread);
 
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (gst_sctp_association_parent_class)->finalize (object);
 }