diff --git a/src/core/wee-string.c b/src/core/wee-string.c
index f63d6f6f5..646d58722 100644
--- a/src/core/wee-string.c
+++ b/src/core/wee-string.c
@@ -503,6 +503,8 @@ string_expand_home (const char *path)
     }
 
     ptr_home = getenv ("HOME");
+    if (!ptr_home)
+        return NULL;
 
     length = strlen (ptr_home) + strlen (path + 1) + 1;
     str = malloc (length);