diff --git a/crypto/algapi.c b/crypto/algapi.c
index 2154815..6a98076 100644
--- a/crypto/algapi.c
+++ b/crypto/algapi.c
@@ -507,6 +507,9 @@
 
 void crypto_drop_spawn(struct crypto_spawn *spawn)
 {
+	if (!spawn->alg)
+		return;
+
 	down_write(&crypto_alg_sem);
 	list_del(&spawn->list);
 	up_write(&crypto_alg_sem);