diff --git a/src/core/main.c b/src/core/main.c
index 0629d142ff..fe291f8410 100644
--- a/src/core/main.c
+++ b/src/core/main.c
@@ -1567,6 +1567,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         /* This will close all file descriptors that were opened, but
          * not claimed by any unit. */
         fdset_free(fds);
+        fds = NULL;
 
         if (serialization) {
                 fclose(serialization);