diff --git a/vnc.c b/vnc.c
index f663b385d1..1d9c113539 100644
--- a/vnc.c
+++ b/vnc.c
@@ -2419,6 +2419,7 @@ int vnc_display_open(DisplayState *ds, const char *display)
         }
         if (-1 == vs->lsock) {
             free(dpy);
+            return -1;
         } else {
             free(vs->display);
             vs->display = dpy;