diff --git a/tools/perf/util/machine.c b/tools/perf/util/machine.c
index 503f5a65e0cc..8b213482e564 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/machine.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/machine.c
@@ -1923,7 +1923,8 @@ int machine__process_fork_event(struct machine *machine, union perf_event *event
 	 * (fork) event that would have removed the thread was lost. Assume the
 	 * latter case and continue on as best we can.
 	 */
-	if (thread__pid(parent) != (pid_t)event->fork.ppid) {
+	if (parent != NULL &&
+	    thread__pid(parent) != (pid_t)event->fork.ppid) {
 		dump_printf("removing erroneous parent thread %d/%d\n",
 			    thread__pid(parent), thread__tid(parent));
 		machine__remove_thread(machine, parent);