diff --git a/locks/unix/global_mutex.c b/locks/unix/global_mutex.c
index 22592060d2f..ffaa7b6cad2 100644
--- a/locks/unix/global_mutex.c
+++ b/locks/unix/global_mutex.c
@@ -86,6 +86,10 @@ APR_DECLARE(apr_status_t) apr_global_mutex_child_init(
 {
     apr_status_t rv;
 
+    if (*mutex == NULL) {
+        return APR_ENOLOCK;
+    }
+
     rv = apr_proc_mutex_child_init(&((*mutex)->proc_mutex), fname, pool);
     return rv;
 }