diff --git a/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c b/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c
index d9b6f2001d00..fb1f12bb0ff2 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_core.c
@@ -1943,6 +1943,9 @@ static int nf_confirm_cthelper(struct sk_buff *skb, struct nf_conn *ct,
 		return 0;
 
 	helper = rcu_dereference(help->helper);
+	if (!helper)
+		return 0;
+
 	if (!(helper->flags & NF_CT_HELPER_F_USERSPACE))
 		return 0;