diff --git a/lib/security.c b/lib/security.c
index cc3cc35d2..ca17c5641 100644
--- a/lib/security.c
+++ b/lib/security.c
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ static CURLcode choose_mech(struct connectdata *conn)
     break;
   }
 
-  return mech != NULL ? CURLE_OK : CURLE_FAILED_INIT;
+  return *mech != NULL ? CURLE_OK : CURLE_FAILED_INIT;
 }
 
 CURLcode