diff --git a/sql/rpl_utility.cc b/sql/rpl_utility.cc
index 1971077ab65..3d5b3baad30 100644
--- a/sql/rpl_utility.cc
+++ b/sql/rpl_utility.cc
@@ -816,7 +816,7 @@ table_def::compatible_with(THD *thd, Relay_log_info *rli,
       rli->report(ERROR_LEVEL, ER_SLAVE_CONVERSION_FAILED,
                   ER(ER_SLAVE_CONVERSION_FAILED),
                   col, db_name, tbl_name,
-                  source_type.c_ptr(), target_type.c_ptr());
+                  source_type.c_ptr_safe(), target_type.c_ptr_safe());
       return false;
     }
   }