diff --git a/tools/vsh.c b/tools/vsh.c
index 5e2e3ac219..11f493f969 100644
--- a/tools/vsh.c
+++ b/tools/vsh.c
@@ -1031,7 +1031,7 @@ vshCommandOptStringReq(vshControl *ctl,
     /* this should not be propagated here, just to be sure */
     if (ret == -1)
         error = N_("Mandatory option not present");
-    else if (!*arg->data && !(arg->def->flags & VSH_OFLAG_EMPTY_OK))
+    else if (arg && !*arg->data && !(arg->def->flags & VSH_OFLAG_EMPTY_OK))
         error = N_("Option argument is empty");
 
     if (error) {