diff --git a/modules/core/src/cuda_host_mem.cpp b/modules/core/src/cuda_host_mem.cpp
index 2ad733b67..70dd840bd 100644
--- a/modules/core/src/cuda_host_mem.cpp
+++ b/modules/core/src/cuda_host_mem.cpp
@@ -107,10 +107,13 @@ public:
 
     void deallocate(UMatData* u) const
     {
+        if (!u)
+            return;
+
         CV_Assert(u->urefcount >= 0);
         CV_Assert(u->refcount >= 0);
 
-        if (u && u->refcount == 0)
+        if (u->refcount == 0)
         {
             if ( !(u->flags & UMatData::USER_ALLOCATED) )
             {