diff --git a/src/ncrypto.cpp b/src/ncrypto.cpp
index ee0822a..dcca080 100644
--- a/src/ncrypto.cpp
+++ b/src/ncrypto.cpp
@@ -4847,6 +4847,9 @@ std::pair<std::string, std::string> X509Name::Iterator::operator*() const {
 
   unsigned char* value_str;
   int value_str_size = ASN1_STRING_to_UTF8(&value_str, value);
+  if (value_str_size < 0) [[unlikely]] {
+    return {{}, {}};
+  }
 
   std::string out(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(value_str), value_str_size);
   OPENSSL_free(value_str);  // free after copy