diff --git a/modules/videoio/src/cap_gstreamer.cpp b/modules/videoio/src/cap_gstreamer.cpp
index 6bad528909..d8390691ff 100644
--- a/modules/videoio/src/cap_gstreamer.cpp
+++ b/modules/videoio/src/cap_gstreamer.cpp
@@ -216,10 +216,10 @@ private:
         call_deinit = utils::getConfigurationParameterBool("OPENCV_VIDEOIO_GSTREAMER_CALL_DEINIT", false);
 
         GSafePtr<GError> err;
-        gst_init_check(NULL, NULL, err.getRef());
-        if (err)
+        gboolean gst_init_res = gst_init_check(NULL, NULL, err.getRef());
+        if (!gst_init_res)
         {
-            CV_WARN("Can't initialize GStreamer: " << err->message);
+            CV_WARN("Can't initialize GStreamer: " << (err ? err->message : "<unknown reason>"));
             isFailed = true;
             return;
         }