diff --git a/lib/dns/catz.c b/lib/dns/catz.c
index 8c3b9fde69..e175badff2 100644
--- a/lib/dns/catz.c
+++ b/lib/dns/catz.c
@@ -1655,9 +1655,7 @@ dns_catz_generate_zonecfg(dns_catz_zone_t *zone, dns_catz_entry_t *entry,
 	return (ISC_R_SUCCESS);
 
 cleanup:
-	if (buffer != NULL) {
-		isc_buffer_free(&buffer);
-	}
+	isc_buffer_free(&buffer);
 	return (result);
 }