diff --git a/libmpcodecs/vd_svq1.c b/libmpcodecs/vd_svq1.c
index 0711d044bf..a639399001 100644
--- a/libmpcodecs/vd_svq1.c
+++ b/libmpcodecs/vd_svq1.c
@@ -60,6 +60,8 @@ static mp_image_t* decode(sh_video_t *sh,void* data,int len,int flags){
     if(len<=0) return NULL; // skipped frame
     
     ret=svq1_decode_frame(svq1,data,len);
+    if (ret != 0)
+	return NULL;
     
     mpi=mpcodecs_get_image(sh, MP_IMGTYPE_EXPORT, MP_IMGFLAG_PRESERVE, 
 	sh->disp_w, sh->disp_h);