diff --git a/bgpd/bgp_attr.c b/bgpd/bgp_attr.c
index 1dce39b..cbf2902 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgp_attr.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgp_attr.c
@@ -1360,6 +1360,9 @@
   /* need to reconcile NEW_AS_PATH and AS_PATH */
   if (!ignore_as4_path && (attr->flag & (ATTR_FLAG_BIT( BGP_ATTR_AS4_PATH))))
     {
+       if (!attr->aspath)
+         return BGP_ATTR_PARSE_PROCEED;
+
        newpath = aspath_reconcile_as4 (attr->aspath, as4_path);
        aspath_unintern (&attr->aspath);
        attr->aspath = aspath_intern (newpath);