diff --git a/Objects/listobject.c b/Objects/listobject.c
index 66519662821..3a842294d13 100644
--- a/Objects/listobject.c
+++ b/Objects/listobject.c
@@ -525,6 +525,7 @@ list_ass_slice(PyListObject *a, int ilow, int ihigh, PyObject *v)
 		if (list_resize(a, s+d) == -1) {
 			if (recycle != NULL)
 				PyMem_DEL(recycle);
+			return -1;
 		}
 		item = a->ob_item;
 		for (k = s; --k >= ihigh; )