diff --git a/http.c b/http.c
index b4e7b8d00b..8f1d6d1f56 100644
--- a/http.c
+++ b/http.c
@@ -1608,6 +1608,8 @@ struct active_request_slot *get_active_slot(void)
 
 	if (!slot->curl) {
 		slot->curl = curl_easy_duphandle(curl_default);
+		if (!slot->curl)
+			die("curl_easy_duphandle failed");
 		curl_session_count++;
 	}