diff --git a/src/shm.cpp b/src/shm.cpp
index 2b3f8c2..a34c9cf 100644
--- a/src/shm.cpp
+++ b/src/shm.cpp
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ bool handle::acquire(char const * name, std::size_t size, unsigned mode) {
 }
 
 void handle::release() {
+    if (impl(p_)->id_ == nullptr) return;
     shm::release(detach());
 }