diff --git a/drivers/video/fbdev/msm/mdss_mdp_intf_cmd.c b/drivers/video/fbdev/msm/mdss_mdp_intf_cmd.c
index a259ddda2ce2..478dca59db2b 100644
--- a/drivers/video/fbdev/msm/mdss_mdp_intf_cmd.c
+++ b/drivers/video/fbdev/msm/mdss_mdp_intf_cmd.c
@@ -738,6 +738,12 @@ int mdss_mdp_resource_control(struct mdss_mdp_ctl *ctl, u32 sw_event)
 	int rc = 0;
 	bool schedule_off = false;
 
+	if (!ctl) {
+		pr_err("%s invalid ctl\n", __func__);
+		rc = -EINVAL;
+		goto exit;
+	}
+
 	/* Get both controllers in the correct order for dual displays */
 	mdss_mdp_get_split_display_ctls(&ctl, &sctl);