diff --git a/nix/libstore/pathlocks.cc b/nix/libstore/pathlocks.cc
index 830858ff8d..9797ddd7ab 100644
--- a/nix/libstore/pathlocks.cc
+++ b/nix/libstore/pathlocks.cc
@@ -162,7 +162,11 @@ bool PathLocks::lockPaths(const PathSet & _paths,
 
 PathLocks::~PathLocks()
 {
-    unlock();
+    try {
+        unlock();
+    } catch (...) {
+        ignoreException();
+    }
 }