diff --git a/src/packet_crypt.c b/src/packet_crypt.c
index 18df9dcb..168fcc72 100644
--- a/src/packet_crypt.c
+++ b/src/packet_crypt.c
@@ -255,6 +255,10 @@ int ssh_packet_hmac_verify(ssh_session session,
   }
 
   crypto = ssh_packet_get_current_crypto(session, SSH_DIRECTION_IN);
+  if (crypto == NULL) {
+      return SSH_ERROR;
+  }
+
   ctx = hmac_init(crypto->decryptMAC, hmac_digest_len(type), type);
   if (ctx == NULL) {
     return -1;