diff --git a/kernel/events/core.c b/kernel/events/core.c
index 022a34b66e60..b752bd3aa03b 100644
--- a/kernel/events/core.c
+++ b/kernel/events/core.c
@@ -11899,7 +11899,7 @@ static int inherit_group(struct perf_event *parent_event,
 		if (IS_ERR(child_ctr))
 			return PTR_ERR(child_ctr);
 
-		if (sub->aux_event == parent_event &&
+		if (sub->aux_event == parent_event && child_ctr &&
 		    !perf_get_aux_event(child_ctr, leader))
 			return -EINVAL;
 	}