diff --git a/sys/netinet6/scope6.c b/sys/netinet6/scope6.c
index 0653d537eec1..0489651d877b 100644
--- a/sys/netinet6/scope6.c
+++ b/sys/netinet6/scope6.c
@@ -422,6 +422,10 @@ in6_setscope(struct in6_addr *in6, struct ifnet *ifp, u_int32_t *ret_id)
 			struct epoch_tracker et;
 
 			NET_EPOCH_ENTER(et);
+			if (ifp->if_afinfo[AF_INET6] == NULL) {
+				NET_EPOCH_EXIT(et);
+				return (ENETDOWN);
+			}
 			sid = SID(ifp);
 			zoneid = sid->s6id_list[scope];
 			NET_EPOCH_EXIT(et);