diff --git a/lib/netrc.c b/lib/netrc.c
index 5de3286385..4afd2a0846 100644
--- a/lib/netrc.c
+++ b/lib/netrc.c
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ static NETRCcode parsenetrc(struct store_netrc *store,
         }
         break;
       case MACDEF:
-        if(!*tok)
+        if(!tok || !*tok)
           state = NOTHING;
         break;
       case HOSTFOUND: