diff --git a/gstreamer-sharp/Message.custom b/gstreamer-sharp/Message.custom
index 2877c0a165..dba3f0fb3c 100644
--- a/gstreamer-sharp/Message.custom
+++ b/gstreamer-sharp/Message.custom
@@ -86,7 +86,8 @@ public Gst.Structure Structure {
 }
 
 ~Message () {
-  cached_structure.CreateNativeCopy ();
+  if (cached_structure != null)
+    cached_structure.CreateNativeCopy ();
   cached_structure = null;
 }