diff --git a/libisofs/messages.c b/libisofs/messages.c
index dc8359b..3b797a2 100644
--- a/libisofs/messages.c
+++ b/libisofs/messages.c
@@ -121,6 +121,9 @@ int iso_msgs_obtain(char *minimum_severity,
 	char *textpt, *sev_name;
 	struct libiso_msgs_item *item = NULL;
 
+	if (libiso_messenger == NULL)
+		return 0;
+
 	ret = libiso_msgs__text_to_sev(minimum_severity, &minimum_sevno, 0);
 	if (ret <= 0)
 		return 0;