diff --git a/src/read.c b/src/read.c
index 87005a7d14..6872ba5892 100644
--- a/src/read.c
+++ b/src/read.c
@@ -993,7 +993,9 @@ static void avifDecoderDataClearTiles(avifDecoderData * data)
 
 static void avifDecoderDataDestroy(avifDecoderData * data)
 {
-    avifMetaDestroy(data->meta);
+    if (data->meta) {
+        avifMetaDestroy(data->meta);
+    }
     for (uint32_t i = 0; i < data->tracks.count; ++i) {
         avifTrack * track = &data->tracks.track[i];
         if (track->sampleTable) {