diff --git a/crypto/cms/cms_lib.c b/crypto/cms/cms_lib.c
index 268278014c..0a8200cc38 100644
--- a/crypto/cms/cms_lib.c
+++ b/crypto/cms/cms_lib.c
@@ -448,8 +448,6 @@ int CMS_add0_cert(CMS_ContentInfo *cms, X509 *cert)
 	STACK_OF(CMS_CertificateChoices) **pcerts;
 	int i;
 	pcerts = cms_get0_certificate_choices(cms);
-	if (!pcerts)
-		return 0;
 	if (!pcerts)
 		return 0;
 	for (i = 0; i < sk_CMS_CertificateChoices_num(*pcerts); i++)