diff --git a/modules/proxy/proxy_util.c b/modules/proxy/proxy_util.c
index 08f7f85a1b..7b91c8b164 100644
--- a/modules/proxy/proxy_util.c
+++ b/modules/proxy/proxy_util.c
@@ -1350,7 +1350,7 @@ PROXY_DECLARE(int) ap_proxy_pre_request(proxy_worker **worker,
             }
         }
     }
-    else if (access_status == DECLINED && balancer != NULL) {
+    else if (access_status == DECLINED && *balancer != NULL) {
         /* All the workers are busy */
         ap_log_rerror(APLOG_MARK, APLOG_ERR, 0, r,
           "proxy: all workers are busy.  Unable to serve %s",