diff --git a/lib/src/clixon_json.c b/lib/src/clixon_json.c
index d498a202..930dbb6f 100644
--- a/lib/src/clixon_json.c
+++ b/lib/src/clixon_json.c
@@ -691,8 +691,9 @@ int
 json_parse_str(char   *str, 
 	       cxobj **xt)
 {
-    if ((*xt = xml_new("top", NULL, NULL)) == NULL)
-	return -1;
+    if (*xt == NULL)
+	if ((*xt = xml_new("top", NULL, NULL)) == NULL)
+	    return -1;
     return json_parse(str, "", *xt);
 }