diff --git a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
index 8bb90e97898da..a66d639c415fc 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
@@ -395,6 +395,11 @@ static int bond_ipsec_add_sa(struct xfrm_state *xs)
 	rcu_read_lock();
 	bond = netdev_priv(bond_dev);
 	slave = rcu_dereference(bond->curr_active_slave);
+	if (!slave) {
+		rcu_read_unlock();
+		return -ENODEV;
+	}
+
 	xs->xso.real_dev = slave->dev;
 	bond->xs = xs;