diff --git a/core/mac/src/pe/lim/lim_send_management_frames.c b/core/mac/src/pe/lim/lim_send_management_frames.c
index bbdf8d7a8af8..725c887a3795 100644
--- a/core/mac/src/pe/lim/lim_send_management_frames.c
+++ b/core/mac/src/pe/lim/lim_send_management_frames.c
@@ -2394,7 +2394,8 @@ lim_send_auth_mgmt_frame(struct mac_context *mac_ctx,
 		}
 
 		/* include MDIE in FILS authentication frame */
-		if (session->pLimJoinReq->is11Rconnection &&
+		if (session->pLimJoinReq &&
+		    session->pLimJoinReq->is11Rconnection &&
 		    auth_frame->authAlgoNumber == SIR_FILS_SK_WITHOUT_PFS &&
 		    session->pLimJoinReq->bssDescription.mdiePresent)
 			frame_len += (2 + SIR_MDIE_SIZE);