diff --git a/libs/gst/base/gstbaseparse.c b/libs/gst/base/gstbaseparse.c
index 4b45280e90..8da034bd8a 100644
--- a/libs/gst/base/gstbaseparse.c
+++ b/libs/gst/base/gstbaseparse.c
@@ -1084,7 +1084,8 @@ gst_base_parse_negotiate_default_caps (GstBaseParse * parse)
   GST_INFO_OBJECT (parse,
       "Chose default caps %" GST_PTR_FORMAT " for initial gap", default_caps);
 
-  gst_caps_unref (sinkcaps);
+  if (sinkcaps)
+    gst_caps_unref (sinkcaps);
   gst_caps_unref (caps);
 
   return default_caps;