diff --git a/plugins/imjournal/imjournal.c b/plugins/imjournal/imjournal.c
index 9b590cb8bf..f6c2885a53 100644
--- a/plugins/imjournal/imjournal.c
+++ b/plugins/imjournal/imjournal.c
@@ -991,7 +991,9 @@ CODESTARTafterRun
 		persistJournalState();
 	}
 	closeJournal();
-	ratelimitDestruct(ratelimiter);
+	if (ratelimiter) {
+		ratelimitDestruct(ratelimiter);
+	}
 ENDafterRun