diff --git a/kernel/events/core.c b/kernel/events/core.c
index e2c7251219b4..36b60ef0ac6c 100644
--- a/kernel/events/core.c
+++ b/kernel/events/core.c
@@ -12115,7 +12115,8 @@ static int inherit_group(struct perf_event *parent_event,
 		    !perf_get_aux_event(child_ctr, leader))
 			return -EINVAL;
 	}
-	leader->group_generation = parent_event->group_generation;
+	if (leader)
+		leader->group_generation = parent_event->group_generation;
 	return 0;
 }