diff --git a/fs/dlm/user.c b/fs/dlm/user.c
index ebbcf38fd33b..1aa76b32d056 100644
--- a/fs/dlm/user.c
+++ b/fs/dlm/user.c
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ static ssize_t device_write(struct file *file, const char __user *buf,
 
 	/* do we really need this? can a write happen after a close? */
 	if ((kbuf->cmd == DLM_USER_LOCK || kbuf->cmd == DLM_USER_UNLOCK) &&
-	    test_bit(DLM_PROC_FLAGS_CLOSING, &proc->flags))
+	    (proc && test_bit(DLM_PROC_FLAGS_CLOSING, &proc->flags)))
 		return -EINVAL;
 
 	sigfillset(&allsigs);