diff --git a/isisd/isis_route.c b/isisd/isis_route.c
index 9cca809..c0ec01e 100644
--- a/isisd/isis_route.c
+++ b/isisd/isis_route.c
@@ -643,6 +643,9 @@
     isis_route_validate_merge (area, AF_INET6);
 #endif
 
+  if (!area->circuit_list) {
+    return;
+  }
   /* walk all circuits and reset any spf specific flags */
   for (ALL_LIST_ELEMENTS_RO (area->circuit_list, node, circuit))
     UNSET_FLAG(circuit->flags, ISIS_CIRCUIT_FLAPPED_AFTER_SPF);