diff --git a/sys/netinet/tcp_timer.c b/sys/netinet/tcp_timer.c
index 6680e9b6ef7e..e0d86d043c10 100644
--- a/sys/netinet/tcp_timer.c
+++ b/sys/netinet/tcp_timer.c
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ tcp_timer_2msl(void *xtp)
        }
 
 #ifdef TCPDEBUG
-	if (tp->t_inpcb->inp_socket->so_options & SO_DEBUG)
+	if (tp != NULL && (tp->t_inpcb->inp_socket->so_options & SO_DEBUG))
 		tcp_trace(TA_USER, ostate, tp, (void *)0, (struct tcphdr *)0,
 			  PRU_SLOWTIMO);
 #endif