diff --git a/tools/perf/util/machine.c b/tools/perf/util/machine.c
index 7d2e211e376c..71ee078d30f4 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/machine.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/machine.c
@@ -2385,7 +2385,7 @@ static int thread__resolve_callchain_sample(struct thread *thread,
 	}
 
 check_calls:
-	if (callchain_param.order != ORDER_CALLEE) {
+	if (chain && callchain_param.order != ORDER_CALLEE) {
 		err = find_prev_cpumode(chain, thread, cursor, parent, root_al,
 					&cpumode, chain->nr - first_call);
 		if (err)