diff --git a/kernel/bpf/core.c b/kernel/bpf/core.c
index 3ce69c0276c0..9976703f2dbf 100644
--- a/kernel/bpf/core.c
+++ b/kernel/bpf/core.c
@@ -60,11 +60,13 @@ void *bpf_internal_load_pointer_neg_helper(const struct sk_buff *skb, int k, uns
 {
 	u8 *ptr = NULL;
 
-	if (k >= SKF_NET_OFF)
+	if (k >= SKF_NET_OFF) {
 		ptr = skb_network_header(skb) + k - SKF_NET_OFF;
-	else if (k >= SKF_LL_OFF)
+	} else if (k >= SKF_LL_OFF) {
+		if (unlikely(!skb_mac_header_was_set(skb)))
+			return NULL;
 		ptr = skb_mac_header(skb) + k - SKF_LL_OFF;
-
+	}
 	if (ptr >= skb->head && ptr + size <= skb_tail_pointer(skb))
 		return ptr;