diff --git a/ui/vnc.c b/ui/vnc.c
index be384a5315..54bc5adab6 100644
--- a/ui/vnc.c
+++ b/ui/vnc.c
@@ -2849,6 +2849,10 @@ int vnc_display_pw_expire(DisplayState *ds, time_t expires)
 {
     VncDisplay *vs = ds ? (VncDisplay *)ds->opaque : vnc_display;
 
+    if (!vs) {
+        return -EINVAL;
+    }
+
     vs->expires = expires;
     return 0;
 }