diff --git a/apps/ca.c b/apps/ca.c
index 69207c0662ed7f16f5c1f87f52ac80bf58a0c099..be7e21a6f28046a67ea9bde1c503c6ca1e704012 100644
--- a/apps/ca.c
+++ b/apps/ca.c
@@ -722,7 +722,7 @@ end_of_options:
 
     /*****************************************************************/
     if (req || gencrl) {
-        if (spkac_file != NULL) {
+        if (spkac_file != NULL && outfile != NULL) {
             output_der = 1;
             batch = 1;
         }