diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-top.c b/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
index 1cb3436276d1..6a4d5d41c671 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
@@ -733,7 +733,7 @@ static void perf_event__process_sample(struct perf_tool *tool,
 "Kernel address maps (/proc/{kallsyms,modules}) are restricted.\n\n"
 "Check /proc/sys/kernel/kptr_restrict.\n\n"
 "Kernel%s samples will not be resolved.\n",
-			  !RB_EMPTY_ROOT(&al.map->dso->symbols[MAP__FUNCTION]) ?
+			  al.map && !RB_EMPTY_ROOT(&al.map->dso->symbols[MAP__FUNCTION]) ?
 			  " modules" : "");
 		if (use_browser <= 0)
 			sleep(5);