diff --git a/kernel/events/core.c b/kernel/events/core.c
index c488c778b9f0..88fc24a2dbf8 100644
--- a/kernel/events/core.c
+++ b/kernel/events/core.c
@@ -13318,7 +13318,8 @@ static int inherit_group(struct perf_event *parent_event,
 		    !perf_get_aux_event(child_ctr, leader))
 			return -EINVAL;
 	}
-	leader->group_generation = parent_event->group_generation;
+	if (leader)
+		leader->group_generation = parent_event->group_generation;
 	return 0;
 }