diff --git a/src/buffer.c b/src/buffer.c
index f405bcb5834..eca2843e2bc 100644
--- a/src/buffer.c
+++ b/src/buffer.c
@@ -3843,7 +3843,9 @@ fix_overlays_before (struct buffer *bp, ptrdiff_t prev, ptrdiff_t pos)
      or the found one ends before PREV,
      or the found one is the last one in the list,
      we don't have to fix anything.  */
-  if (!tail || end < prev || !tail->next)
+  if (!tail)
+    return;
+  if (end < prev || !tail->next)
     return;
 
   right_pair = parent;