diff --git a/src/atom.cpp b/src/atom.cpp
index ab044b6c47..1476a9ae2f 100644
--- a/src/atom.cpp
+++ b/src/atom.cpp
@@ -309,7 +309,8 @@ Atom::~Atom()
   }
   for (int i = 0; i < ndvector; i++) {
     delete [] dvname[i];
-    memory->destroy(dvector[i]);
+    if (dvector)
+      memory->destroy(dvector[i]);
   }
   for (int i = 0; i < niarray; i++) {
     delete [] ianame[i];