diff --git a/openbsc/src/gsm_04_11.c b/openbsc/src/gsm_04_11.c
index a7f69d1..277a321 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/gsm_04_11.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/gsm_04_11.c
@@ -1046,7 +1046,7 @@
 	/* if not, we have to start paging */
 	rc = paging_request(subscr->net, subscr, RSL_CHANNEED_SDCCH,
 			    paging_cb_send_sms, sms);
-	if (rc < 0)
+	if (rc <= 0)
 		sms_free(sms);
 
 	return 0;