diff --git a/dlls/shell32/brsfolder.c b/dlls/shell32/brsfolder.c
index 666e34b2bcc..27c20970c37 100644
--- a/dlls/shell32/brsfolder.c
+++ b/dlls/shell32/brsfolder.c
@@ -524,7 +524,10 @@ static BOOL BrsFolder_OnCommand( browse_info *info, UINT id )
     switch (id)
     {
     case IDOK:
-        info->pidlRet = ILClone(info->pidlRet); /* The original pidl will be free'd. */
+        /* The original pidl is owned by the treeview and will be free'd. */
+        info->pidlRet = ILClone(info->pidlRet);
+        if (info->pidlRet == NULL) /* A null pidl would mean a cancel */
+            info->pidlRet = _ILCreateDesktop();
         pdump( info->pidlRet );
         if (lpBrowseInfo->pszDisplayName)
             SHGetPathFromIDListW( info->pidlRet, lpBrowseInfo->pszDisplayName );