diff --git a/lib/config/config.c b/lib/config/config.c
index 1298b40cb..d69f1f750 100644
--- a/lib/config/config.c
+++ b/lib/config/config.c
@@ -891,7 +891,7 @@ static int _check_value_differs_from_default(struct cft_check_handle *handle,
 				}
 				break;
 			case DM_CFG_EMPTY_ARRAY:
-				diff = v_def->type != DM_CFG_EMPTY_ARRAY;
+				diff = (v_def && (v_def->type != DM_CFG_EMPTY_ARRAY));
 				break;
 			default:
 				log_error(INTERNAL_ERROR "inconsistent state reached in _check_value_differs_from_default");