diff --git a/tools/perf/util/machine.c b/tools/perf/util/machine.c
index 968fd0454e6b..d246080cd85e 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/machine.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/machine.c
@@ -156,6 +156,9 @@ void machine__delete_threads(struct machine *machine)
 
 void machine__exit(struct machine *machine)
 {
+	if (machine == NULL)
+		return;
+
 	machine__destroy_kernel_maps(machine);
 	map_groups__exit(&machine->kmaps);
 	dsos__exit(&machine->dsos);