diff --git a/security/keys/gc.c b/security/keys/gc.c
index 39eac1fd5706..addf060399e0 100644
--- a/security/keys/gc.c
+++ b/security/keys/gc.c
@@ -134,8 +134,10 @@ static noinline void key_gc_unused_keys(struct list_head *keys)
 		kdebug("- %u", key->serial);
 		key_check(key);
 
-		/* Throw away the key data */
-		if (key->type->destroy)
+		/* Throw away the key data if the key is instantiated */
+		if (test_bit(KEY_FLAG_INSTANTIATED, &key->flags) &&
+		    !test_bit(KEY_FLAG_NEGATIVE, &key->flags) &&
+		    key->type->destroy)
 			key->type->destroy(key);
 
 		security_key_free(key);