diff --git a/index/scorch/scorch.go b/index/scorch/scorch.go
index 7a1046fc5..796713148 100644
--- a/index/scorch/scorch.go
+++ b/index/scorch/scorch.go
@@ -263,7 +263,10 @@ func (s *Scorch) Close() (err error) {
 		err = s.rootBolt.Close()
 		s.rootLock.Lock()
 		if s.root != nil {
-			_ = s.root.DecRef()
+			err2 := s.root.DecRef()
+			if err == nil {
+				err = err2
+			}
 		}
 		s.root = nil
 		s.rootLock.Unlock()