diff --git a/ospfd/ospf_vty.c b/ospfd/ospf_vty.c
index 74eb5c7620..863055bf42 100644
--- a/ospfd/ospf_vty.c
+++ b/ospfd/ospf_vty.c
@@ -3690,7 +3690,8 @@ static void show_ip_ospf_interface_sub(struct vty *vty, struct ospf *ospf,
 			"Use all fields following ospfEnabled from interfaceIp hierarchy")
 #endif
 
-		json_oi = json_object_new_object();
+		if (use_json)
+			json_oi = json_object_new_object();
 
 		if (CHECK_FLAG(oi->connected->flags, ZEBRA_IFA_UNNUMBERED)) {
 			if (use_json) {