diff --git a/crypto/asn1/tasn_new.c b/crypto/asn1/tasn_new.c
index cca8236e..918aba75 100644
--- a/crypto/asn1/tasn_new.c
+++ b/crypto/asn1/tasn_new.c
@@ -100,8 +100,6 @@ static int asn1_item_ex_combine_new(ASN1_VALUE **pval, const ASN1_ITEM *it,
 	else
 		asn1_cb = 0;
 
-	if (!combine) *pval = NULL;
-
 #ifdef CRYPTO_MDEBUG
 	if (it->sname)
 		CRYPTO_push_info(it->sname);