diff --git a/src/pki_crypto.c b/src/pki_crypto.c
index 36b4c182..4b34b080 100644
--- a/src/pki_crypto.c
+++ b/src/pki_crypto.c
@@ -2301,9 +2301,7 @@ int pki_verify_data_signature(ssh_signature signature,
     rc = SSH_OK;
 
 out:
-    if (ctx != NULL) {
-        EVP_MD_CTX_free(ctx);
-    }
+    EVP_MD_CTX_free(ctx);
     EVP_PKEY_free(pkey);
     return rc;
 }