diff --git a/crypto/evp/pmeth_gn.c b/crypto/evp/pmeth_gn.c
index 705801f..9416e1a 100644
--- a/crypto/evp/pmeth_gn.c
+++ b/crypto/evp/pmeth_gn.c
@@ -96,12 +96,17 @@
         return -1;
     }
 
-    if (!ppkey)
+    if (ppkey == NULL)
         return -1;
 
-    if (!*ppkey)
+    if (*ppkey == NULL)
         *ppkey = EVP_PKEY_new();
 
+    if (*ppkey == NULL) {
+        EVPerr(EVP_F_EVP_PKEY_PARAMGEN, ERR_R_MALLOC_FAILURE);
+        return -1;
+    }
+
     ret = ctx->pmeth->paramgen(ctx, *ppkey);
     if (ret <= 0) {
         EVP_PKEY_free(*ppkey);