diff --git a/js/src/jsparse.cpp b/js/src/jsparse.cpp
index bb80adc127a..6ed7936d918 100644
--- a/js/src/jsparse.cpp
+++ b/js/src/jsparse.cpp
@@ -2837,8 +2837,11 @@ LeaveFunction(JSParseNode *fn, JSTreeContext *funtc, JSAtom *funAtom = NULL,
                  * allows us to handle both these cases in a natural way.
                  */
                 outer_ale = MakePlaceholder(dn, tc);
+                if (!outer_ale)
+                    return false;
             }
 
+
             JSDefinition *outer_dn = ALE_DEFN(outer_ale);
 
             /*