diff --git a/volumes.c b/volumes.c
index 582f3336..6182ed6c 100644
--- a/volumes.c
+++ b/volumes.c
@@ -1717,6 +1717,8 @@ int btrfs_read_chunk_tree(struct btrfs_root *root)
 	key.offset = 0;
 	key.type = 0;
 	ret = btrfs_search_slot(NULL, root, &key, path, 0, 0);
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto error;
 	while(1) {
 		leaf = path->nodes[0];
 		slot = path->slots[0];