diff --git a/ext/curl/gstcurlbasesink.c b/ext/curl/gstcurlbasesink.c
index 12ee0f3258..dad7954983 100644
--- a/ext/curl/gstcurlbasesink.c
+++ b/ext/curl/gstcurlbasesink.c
@@ -1134,7 +1134,9 @@ gst_curl_base_sink_transfer_setup_unlocked (GstCurlBaseSink * sink)
   }
 
   if (!gst_curl_base_sink_transfer_set_options_unlocked (sink)) {
-    sink->error = g_strdup ("failed to setup curl easy handle");
+    if (!sink->error) {
+      sink->error = g_strdup ("failed to setup curl easy handle");
+    }
     return FALSE;
   }