diff --git a/lib/secure-streams/secure-streams-serialize.c b/lib/secure-streams/secure-streams-serialize.c
index 2202e0298..53a9ed815 100644
--- a/lib/secure-streams/secure-streams-serialize.c
+++ b/lib/secure-streams/secure-streams-serialize.c
@@ -1156,8 +1156,22 @@ payload_ff:
 
 			if (client) {
 				*par->rxmetaval++ = *cp++;
-			} else
+			} else {
+
+				if (!par->ssmd) {
+					/* we don't recognize the name */
+
+					cp++;
+
+					if (--par->rem)
+						break;
+
+					par->ps = RPAR_TYPE;
+					break;
+				}
+
 				((uint8_t *)(par->ssmd->value__may_own_heap))[par->ctr++] = *cp++;
+			}
 
 			if (--par->rem)
 				break;