diff --git a/client/src/cmdsmartcard.c b/client/src/cmdsmartcard.c
index 488e5b9d8..e8f3c8eb9 100644
--- a/client/src/cmdsmartcard.c
+++ b/client/src/cmdsmartcard.c
@@ -1417,6 +1417,10 @@ int ExchangeAPDUSC(bool verbose, uint8_t *datain, int datainlen, bool activateCa
         SendCommandNG(CMD_SMART_RAW, (uint8_t *)payload, sizeof(smart_card_raw_t) + 5);
         datain[4] = 0;
         len = smart_responseEx(dataout, maxdataoutlen, verbose);
+        if (len < 0) {
+            free(payload);
+            return 1;
+        }
     }
 
     free(payload);