diff --git a/core/sme/src/common/sme_api.c b/core/sme/src/common/sme_api.c
index b2fd9f55341b..28635ffd35dc 100644
--- a/core/sme/src/common/sme_api.c
+++ b/core/sme/src/common/sme_api.c
@@ -14744,6 +14744,9 @@ QDF_STATUS sme_set_default_scan_ie(tHalHandle hal, uint16_t session_id,
 	tpAniSirGlobal mac_ctx = PMAC_STRUCT(hal);
 	struct hdd_default_scan_ie *set_ie_params;
 
+	if (!ie_data)
+		return QDF_STATUS_E_INVAL;
+
 	status = sme_acquire_global_lock(&mac_ctx->sme);
 	if (QDF_IS_STATUS_SUCCESS(status)) {
 		set_ie_params = qdf_mem_malloc(sizeof(*set_ie_params));