diff --git a/crypto/pkcs8/p8_pkey.c b/crypto/pkcs8/p8_pkey.c
index bd9d30c..c69d0fa 100644
--- a/crypto/pkcs8/p8_pkey.c
+++ b/crypto/pkcs8/p8_pkey.c
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
   /* Since the structure must still be valid use ASN1_OP_FREE_PRE */
   if (operation == ASN1_OP_FREE_PRE) {
     PKCS8_PRIV_KEY_INFO *key = (PKCS8_PRIV_KEY_INFO *)*pval;
-    if (key->pkey &&
+    if (key->pkey && key->pkey->type == V_ASN1_OCTET_STRING &&
         key->pkey->value.octet_string) {
       OPENSSL_cleanse(key->pkey->value.octet_string->data,
                       key->pkey->value.octet_string->length);