diff --git a/Xext/sync.c b/Xext/sync.c
index d12bd3378..900858773 100644
--- a/Xext/sync.c
+++ b/Xext/sync.c
@@ -1004,7 +1004,7 @@ SyncCreateSystemCounter(const char *name,
         psci = malloc(sizeof(SysCounterInfo));
         if (!psci) {
             FreeResource(pCounter->sync.id, RT_NONE);
-            return pCounter;
+            return NULL;
         }
         pCounter->pSysCounterInfo = psci;
         psci->pCounter = pCounter;