diff --git a/iocore/hostdb/HostDB.cc b/iocore/hostdb/HostDB.cc
index 2cb18b9d7b3..57295bb5890 100644
--- a/iocore/hostdb/HostDB.cc
+++ b/iocore/hostdb/HostDB.cc
@@ -2306,7 +2306,8 @@ ParseHostFile(const char *path, unsigned int hostdb_hostfile_check_interval)
   }
 
   // Swap the pointer
-  hostDB.hosts_file_ptr = parsed_hosts_file_ptr;
+  if (parsed_hosts_file_ptr != nullptr)
+    hostDB.hosts_file_ptr = parsed_hosts_file_ptr;
   // Mark this one as completed, so we can allow another update to happen
   HostDBFileUpdateActive = 0;
 }