diff --git a/STL_Extension/include/CGAL/Handle_for_virtual.h b/STL_Extension/include/CGAL/Handle_for_virtual.h
index ae2845e0c36..839139072f7 100644
--- a/STL_Extension/include/CGAL/Handle_for_virtual.h
+++ b/STL_Extension/include/CGAL/Handle_for_virtual.h
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ class Handle_for_virtual
 
     ~Handle_for_virtual()
     {
+      if(!ptr) return;
       ptr->remove_reference();
       if ( !ptr->is_referenced() )
           delete ptr;