diff --git a/library/pkparse.c b/library/pkparse.c
index f83c146..a899082 100644
--- a/library/pkparse.c
+++ b/library/pkparse.c
@@ -798,7 +798,10 @@
             mbedtls_ecp_keypair_free( eck );
             return( MBEDTLS_ERR_PK_KEY_INVALID_FORMAT + ret );
         }
+    }
 
+    if( p != end )
+    {
         /*
          * Is 'publickey' present? If not, or if we can't read it (eg because it
          * is compressed), create it from the private key.