diff --git a/security/integrity/ima/ima_policy.c b/security/integrity/ima/ima_policy.c
index e1278399b345..6cfa154a6705 100644
--- a/security/integrity/ima/ima_policy.c
+++ b/security/integrity/ima/ima_policy.c
@@ -249,6 +249,8 @@ static int ima_lsm_rule_init(struct ima_measure_rule_entry *entry,
 	result = security_filter_rule_init(entry->lsm[lsm_rule].type,
 					   Audit_equal, args,
 					   &entry->lsm[lsm_rule].rule);
+	if (!entry->lsm[lsm_rule].rule)
+		return -EINVAL;
 	return result;
 }