diff --git a/curl_codes.e b/curl_codes.e
index e3627cbc..d9b320ed 100644
--- a/curl_codes.e
+++ b/curl_codes.e
@@ -11,6 +11,11 @@ note
 class
 	CURL_CODES
 
+feature -- Eiffel cURL: Constants
+
+	eiffelcurle_error_occurred: INTEGER = -1
+			-- Error occurred in Eiffel cURL internals
+
 feature -- Constants
 
 	curle_ok: INTEGER = 0
diff --git a/curl_easy_externals.e b/curl_easy_externals.e
index 7ed81eb1..5fb94d9a 100644
--- a/curl_easy_externals.e
+++ b/curl_easy_externals.e
@@ -116,9 +116,9 @@ feature -- Command
 			l_api := api_loader.api_pointer ("curl_easy_perform")
 			if l_api /= default_pointer then
 				Result := c_perform (l_api, a_curl_handle)
+			else
+				Result := {CURL_CODES}.eiffelcurle_error_occurred
 			end
-		ensure
-			valid:
 		end
 
 	cleanup (a_curl_handle: POINTER)