diff --git a/xmlregexp.c b/xmlregexp.c
index 7dc6eeaf..019399fd 100644
--- a/xmlregexp.c
+++ b/xmlregexp.c
@@ -4881,7 +4881,8 @@ xmlFAParseCharClassEsc(xmlRegParserCtxtPtr ctxt) {
 	}
 	NEXT;
 	xmlFAParseCharProp(ctxt);
-	ctxt->atom->neg = 1;
+        if (ctxt->atom != NULL)
+	    ctxt->atom->neg = 1;
 	if (CUR != '}') {
 	    ERROR("Expecting '}'");
 	    return;