diff --git a/cmd/restic/lock.go b/cmd/restic/lock.go
index ad5ac6841..b0df2b685 100644
--- a/cmd/restic/lock.go
+++ b/cmd/restic/lock.go
@@ -86,6 +86,10 @@ func refreshLocks(wg *sync.WaitGroup, done <-chan struct{}) {
 }
 
 func unlockRepo(lock *restic.Lock) error {
+	if lock == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	globalLocks.Lock()
 	defer globalLocks.Unlock()