diff --git a/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c b/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c
index ba87ad1..40ecbce 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c
@@ -107,6 +107,9 @@
 
   s = zclient->ibuf;
   ifp = zebra_interface_state_read (s, vrf_id);
+  if (! ifp)
+    return 0;
+
   ifp->ifindex = IFINDEX_INTERNAL;
 
   if (BGP_DEBUG(zebra, ZEBRA))