diff --git a/src/network/bridge_driver.c b/src/network/bridge_driver.c
index 4b5347513e..f438c0b49b 100644
--- a/src/network/bridge_driver.c
+++ b/src/network/bridge_driver.c
@@ -2780,7 +2780,7 @@ networkFindUnusedBridgeName(virNetworkObjListPtr nets,
 
     if (def->bridge &&
         (p = strchr(def->bridge, '%')) == strrchr(def->bridge, '%') &&
-        p[1] == 'd')
+        p && p[1] == 'd')
         templ = def->bridge;
 
     do {