diff --git a/src/modules/siptrace/siptrace.c b/src/modules/siptrace/siptrace.c
index c34d25d2499..e559d7874a0 100644
--- a/src/modules/siptrace/siptrace.c
+++ b/src/modules/siptrace/siptrace.c
@@ -1956,6 +1956,12 @@ static void trace_dialog_transaction(struct dlg_cell* dlg, int type, struct dlg_
 		return;
 	}
 
+	/* coverity fix - there shouldn't be a scenario for this to happen */
+	if (params == NULL) {
+		LM_ERR("NULL tm params!\n");
+		return;
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * DUAL BYE - internally generated BYE from kamailio
 	 * set flag to signal request_in callback which will register