diff --git a/net/ipv4/fou_core.c b/net/ipv4/fou_core.c
index 5e867f1b5c1d..076fdca44f51 100644
--- a/net/ipv4/fou_core.c
+++ b/net/ipv4/fou_core.c
@@ -600,6 +600,10 @@ static int fou_create(struct net *net, struct fou_cfg *cfg,
 	/* Initial for fou type */
 	switch (cfg->type) {
 	case FOU_ENCAP_DIRECT:
+		if (!cfg->protocol) {
+			err = -EINVAL;
+			goto error;
+		}
 		tunnel_cfg.encap_rcv = fou_udp_recv;
 		tunnel_cfg.gro_receive = fou_gro_receive;
 		tunnel_cfg.gro_complete = fou_gro_complete;