diff --git a/kpatch-build/kpatch-elf.c b/kpatch-build/kpatch-elf.c
index aa658bc..45a5a3e 100644
--- a/kpatch-build/kpatch-elf.c
+++ b/kpatch-build/kpatch-elf.c
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ static void kpatch_find_fentry_calls(struct kpatch_elf *kelf)
 	struct symbol *sym;
 	struct rela *rela;
 	list_for_each_entry(sym, &kelf->symbols, list) {
-		if (sym->type != STT_FUNC || !sym->sec->rela)
+		if (sym->type != STT_FUNC || !sym->sec || !sym->sec->rela)
 			continue;
 
 		rela = list_first_entry(&sym->sec->rela->relas, struct rela,