diff --git a/mm/damon/reclaim.c b/mm/damon/reclaim.c
index 11b70d0a9a6f..a1a65b1270c8 100644
--- a/mm/damon/reclaim.c
+++ b/mm/damon/reclaim.c
@@ -276,6 +276,8 @@ static int damon_reclaim_commit_inputs_fn(void *arg)
 	return damon_reclaim_apply_parameters();
 }
 
+static bool damon_reclaim_damon_has_started;
+
 static int damon_reclaim_commit_inputs_store(const char *val,
 					     const struct kernel_param *kp)
 {
@@ -296,11 +298,8 @@ static int damon_reclaim_commit_inputs_store(const char *val,
 	if (!commit_inputs_request)
 		return 0;
 
-	/*
-	 * Skip damon_call() if ctx is not initialized to avoid
-	 * NULL pointer dereference.
-	 */
-	if (!ctx)
+	/* Skip damon_call() if ctx has not successfully started. */
+	if (!damon_reclaim_damon_has_started)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
 	err = damon_call(ctx, &control);
@@ -347,6 +346,8 @@ static int damon_reclaim_turn(bool on)
 	err = damon_start(&ctx, 1, true);
 	if (err)
 		return err;
+	if (!damon_reclaim_damon_has_started)
+		damon_reclaim_damon_has_started = true;
 	return damon_call(ctx, &call_control);
 }