--- port_table.cc.orig	2015-10-18 14:37:21.264314596 -0700
+++ port_table.cc	2015-10-18 14:42:20.700371379 -0700
@@ -631,6 +631,12 @@
         "***\n*** PortList-Merging, Large Rule groups must have %d rules\n",p->pt_lrc);
 
     plx_list = sflist_new();
+    if (plx_list == NULL)
+    {
+	ErrorMessage("Could not allocate new list for port objects\n");
+	return -1;  /*	is plx_list released anywhere in this function? */
+    }
+
     sflist_init(plx_list);
 
     p->pt_plx_list = plx_list;