diff --git a/tests/cputest.c b/tests/cputest.c
index 609b5df7c6..95fb37d15c 100644
--- a/tests/cputest.c
+++ b/tests/cputest.c
@@ -692,7 +692,7 @@ cpuTestUpdateLiveCompare(virArch arch,
         if ((cmp == 0 &&
              featAct->policy == VIR_CPU_FEATURE_REQUIRE &&
              featExp->policy == VIR_CPU_FEATURE_DISABLE) ||
-            (cmp < 0 &&
+            (cmp < 0 && featAct &&
              featAct->policy == VIR_CPU_FEATURE_REQUIRE) ||
             (cmp > 0 &&
              featExp->policy == VIR_CPU_FEATURE_DISABLE)) {