diff --git a/kernel/events/core.c b/kernel/events/core.c
index 8f3f3cc08496..3c8eb5d84214 100644
--- a/kernel/events/core.c
+++ b/kernel/events/core.c
@@ -11629,7 +11629,8 @@ static int inherit_group(struct perf_event *parent_event,
 		if (IS_ERR(child_ctr))
 			return PTR_ERR(child_ctr);
 	}
-	leader->group_generation = parent_event->group_generation;
+	if (leader)
+		leader->group_generation = parent_event->group_generation;
 	return 0;
 }