diff --git a/kernel/trace/trace_events_filter.c b/kernel/trace/trace_events_filter.c
index 88c0b6dbd7fe..58092d844a1f 100644
--- a/kernel/trace/trace_events_filter.c
+++ b/kernel/trace/trace_events_filter.c
@@ -1398,7 +1398,7 @@ int ftrace_profile_set_filter(struct perf_event *event, int event_id,
 	}
 
 	err = -EINVAL;
-	if (!call)
+	if (&call->list == &ftrace_events)
 		goto out_unlock;
 
 	err = -EEXIST;