diff --git a/src/global.c b/src/global.c
index f88eb33d..68289845 100644
--- a/src/global.c
+++ b/src/global.c
@@ -62,7 +62,8 @@ libssh2_exit(void)
 
     _libssh2_initialized--;
 
-    if(!(_libssh2_init_flags & LIBSSH2_INIT_NO_CRYPTO)) {
+    if(_libssh2_initialized == 0 &&
+       !(_libssh2_init_flags & LIBSSH2_INIT_NO_CRYPTO)) {
         libssh2_crypto_exit();
     }