diff --git a/src/journal/sd-journal.c b/src/journal/sd-journal.c
index 86afb4985d..cd56470a33 100644
--- a/src/journal/sd-journal.c
+++ b/src/journal/sd-journal.c
@@ -882,8 +882,11 @@ static int real_journal_next_skip(sd_journal *j, direction_t direction, uint64_t
         if (skip == 0) {
                 /* If this is not a discrete skip, then at least
                  * resolve the current location */
-                if (j->current_location.type != LOCATION_DISCRETE)
-                        return real_journal_next(j, direction);
+                if (j->current_location.type != LOCATION_DISCRETE) {
+                        r = real_journal_next(j, direction);
+                        if (r < 0)
+                                return r;
+                }
 
                 return 0;
         }