diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/curve.c b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/curve.c
index dcd8bc6d9eb..e1b2b30a771 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/curve.c
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/curve.c
@@ -1976,6 +1976,9 @@ float calc_curve_subdiv_radius(Curve *cu, Nurb *nu, int cursubdiv)
 		if ( ((nu->type & 7)==CU_NURBS) && (nu->flagu & CU_CYCLIC)) {
 			if (bp >= bplast) bp = bpfirst;
 			else bp++;
+		} else if ( bp >= bplast ) {
+			/* this can happen in rare cases, refer to bug [#8596] */
+			bp = bplast;
 		}
 		
 		rad = prevrad = bp->radius;