diff --git a/crypto/asn1/tasn_new.c b/crypto/asn1/tasn_new.c
index d25c68c545..9f3a411aaf 100644
--- a/crypto/asn1/tasn_new.c
+++ b/crypto/asn1/tasn_new.c
@@ -100,9 +100,6 @@ static int asn1_item_ex_combine_new(ASN1_VALUE **pval, const ASN1_ITEM *it,
     else
         asn1_cb = 0;
 
-    if (!combine)
-        *pval = NULL;
-
 #ifdef CRYPTO_MDEBUG
     if (it->sname)
         CRYPTO_push_info(it->sname);