diff --git a/traceroute.cc b/traceroute.cc
index ac4e98e91..3a3dac14a 100644
--- a/traceroute.cc
+++ b/traceroute.cc
@@ -814,6 +814,9 @@ Traceroute::trace (vector < Target * >&Targets) {
      * legitimate to trace to */
     sendTTLProbes (Targets, valid_targets);
 
+    if (!valid_targets.size())
+        return;
+
     SPM = new ScanProgressMeter ("Traceroute");
 
     while (!readTraceResponses ()) {