diff --git a/net/bluetooth/smp.c b/net/bluetooth/smp.c
index 3d0f7d2a0616..ad82324f710f 100644
--- a/net/bluetooth/smp.c
+++ b/net/bluetooth/smp.c
@@ -2312,6 +2312,10 @@ int smp_conn_security(struct hci_conn *hcon, __u8 sec_level)
 		return 1;
 
 	chan = conn->smp;
+	if (!chan) {
+		BT_ERR("SMP security requested but not available");
+		return 1;
+	}
 
 	if (!hci_dev_test_flag(hcon->hdev, HCI_LE_ENABLED))
 		return 1;