diff --git a/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.c b/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.c
index b337d6f29098..61df26f048d9 100644
--- a/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.c
+++ b/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.c
@@ -10923,6 +10923,9 @@ void bpf_object__detach_skeleton(struct bpf_object_skeleton *s)
 
 void bpf_object__destroy_skeleton(struct bpf_object_skeleton *s)
 {
+	if (!s)
+		return;
+
 	if (s->progs)
 		bpf_object__detach_skeleton(s);
 	if (s->obj)