diff --git a/io_uring/io_uring.h b/io_uring/io_uring.h
index 624ca9076a50..726e6367af4d 100644
--- a/io_uring/io_uring.h
+++ b/io_uring/io_uring.h
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ static inline bool io_file_can_poll(struct io_kiocb *req)
 {
 	if (req->flags & REQ_F_CAN_POLL)
 		return true;
-	if (file_can_poll(req->file)) {
+	if (req->file && file_can_poll(req->file)) {
 		req->flags |= REQ_F_CAN_POLL;
 		return true;
 	}