v1.9.x - NPE

[jackstine]

Description

Please include a summary of the changes.

This bug fixes ... \ This new feature can be used to ...

Context

Users ran into this bug doing ... \ Users needed this feature to ...

Checklist:

• I included a concise, user-facing changelog (for details, see https://github.com/solo-io/go-utils/tree/master/changelogutils) which references the issue that is resolved.
• If I updated APIs (our protos) or helm values, I ran make -B install-go-tools generated-code to ensure there will be no code diff
• I followed guidelines laid out in the Gloo Edge contribution guide
• I opened a draft PR or added the work in progress label if my PR is not ready for review
• I have performed a self-review of my own code
• I have commented my code, particularly in hard-to-understand areas
• I have made corresponding changes to the documentation
• I have added tests that prove my fix is effective or that my feature works

[solo-changelog-bot]

Issues linked to changelog:
#6534