diff --git a/libavcodec/utils.c b/libavcodec/utils.c
index 13f8d0f231..4ed64c967e 100644
--- a/libavcodec/utils.c
+++ b/libavcodec/utils.c
@@ -669,7 +669,8 @@ typedef struct CompatReleaseBufPriv {
 static void compat_free_buffer(void *opaque, uint8_t *data)
 {
     CompatReleaseBufPriv *priv = opaque;
-    priv->avctx.release_buffer(&priv->avctx, &priv->frame);
+    if (priv->avctx.release_buffer)
+        priv->avctx.release_buffer(&priv->avctx, &priv->frame);
     av_freep(&priv);
 }