diff --git a/src/bin/trash.cpp b/src/bin/trash.cpp
index 610eb72955..5cde95ce41 100644
--- a/src/bin/trash.cpp
+++ b/src/bin/trash.cpp
@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ status_t trash(const char *f)
 		return EALREADY;
 	entry_ref er;
 	err = get_ref_for_path(f, &er);
+	if (err < 0)
+		return err;
 	BPath orgPath(&er);
 	err = orgPath.InitCheck();
 	if (err < 0)