diff --git a/dirsrvtests/tests/suites/vlv/regression_test.py b/dirsrvtests/tests/suites/vlv/regression_test.py
index 9e92b483c7..331586922b 100644
--- a/dirsrvtests/tests/suites/vlv/regression_test.py
+++ b/dirsrvtests/tests/suites/vlv/regression_test.py
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@
 # --- END COPYRIGHT BLOCK ---
 #
 import pytest, time
+import os
+from shutil import copyfile
+from contextlib import contextmanager
 from lib389.tasks import *
 from lib389.utils import *
 from lib389.topologies import topology_m2, topology_st
@@ -24,6 +27,8 @@
 from lib389.cli_ctl.dblib import run_dbscan
 
 
+
+
 pytestmark = pytest.mark.tier1
 
 logging.getLogger(__name__).setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
@@ -37,6 +42,31 @@
 # and the NNNN value) is:
 VLV_SEARCH_OFFSET = STARTING_UID_INDEX - 2
 
+# A VLV Index with invalid vlvSrch:
+# ( Using objectClass: extensibleobject instead of objectClass: vlvSrch )
+BAD_DSE_DATA = """dn: cn=vlvSrch,cn=userRoot,cn=ldbm database,cn=plugins,cn=config
+objectClass: top
+objectClass: extensibleobject
+cn: vlvSrch
+vlvBase: dc=example,dc=com
+vlvFilter: (uid=*)
+vlvScope: 2
+modifiersName: cn=directory manager
+createTimestamp: 20240110175704Z
+modifyTimestamp: 20240110175704Z
+numSubordinates: 1
+
+dn: cn=vlvIdx,cn=vlvSrch,cn=userRoot,cn=ldbm database,cn=plugins,cn=config
+objectClass: top
+objectClass: vlvIndex
+cn: vlvIdx
+vlvSort: cn
+creatorsName: cn=directory manager
+modifiersName: cn=directory manager
+createTimestamp: 20240110175704Z
+modifyTimestamp: 20240110175704Z
+"""
+
 
 def open_new_ldapi_conn(dsinstance):
     ldapurl, certdir = get_ldapurl_from_serverid(dsinstance)
@@ -356,6 +386,58 @@ def test_vlv_cache_subdb_names(topology_m2):
     verify_vlv_subdb_names(vlvname, M2)
 
 
+@contextmanager
+def custom_dse(*args, **kwds):
+    """ A Constext manager to handle a special configuration.
+    That restores the original config when exiting out of the context.
+
+    Usage:
+        with custom_dse(inst) as newdsename, olddsename:
+            update(newdsename)
+            inst.start()
+            action ...
+    """
+    inst = args[0]
+    olddsename = f'{inst.ds_paths.config_dir}/dse.ldif.vlvtc1'
+    newdsename = f'{inst.ds_paths.config_dir}/dse.ldif'
+    inst.stop()
+    assert os.path.isfile(newdsename)
+    os.replace(newdsename, olddsename)
+    copyfile(olddsename, newdsename)
+    try:
+        yield (newdsename, olddsename)
+    finally:
+        inst.stop()
+        if os.path.isfile(olddsename):
+            os.remove(newdsename)
+            os.rename(olddsename, newdsename)
+        inst.start()
+
+
+def test_vlv_start_with_bad_dse(topology_st):
+    """
+    Testing that server does not crash if dse.ldif is in disorder.
+
+    :id: ceb3e9e0-b607-11ee-845a-482ae39447e5
+    :setup: Standalone
+    :steps:
+        1. Append vlvIndex entries then vlvSearch entry in the dse.ldif
+        2. Restart the server
+    :expectedresults:
+        1. Should Success.
+        2. Should Success.
+    """
+    inst = topology_st.standalone
+    # Use a context to ensure that the instance config is restored and instance
+    # restarted at the end of the test.
+    with custom_dse(inst) as (newdsename, olddsename):
+        # Step 1: Append vlvIndex entries then vlvSearch entry in the dse.ldif
+        with open(newdsename, 'at') as dse:
+            dse.write(BAD_DSE_DATA)
+        # Step 2: Restart the server
+        inst.start()
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     # Run isolated
     # -s for DEBUG mode
diff --git a/ldap/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/vlv_srch.c b/ldap/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/vlv_srch.c
index 601880544a..71453687f6 100644
--- a/ldap/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/vlv_srch.c
+++ b/ldap/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/vlv_srch.c
@@ -475,6 +475,7 @@ vlvIndex_delete(struct vlvIndex **ppvs)
 {
     if (ppvs != NULL && *ppvs != NULL) {
         slapi_ch_free((void **)&((*ppvs)->vlv_sortspec));
+        if ((*ppvs)->vlv_sortkey != NULL)
         {
             int n;
             for (n = 0; (*ppvs)->vlv_sortkey[n] != NULL; n++) {