diff --git a/security/integrity/ima/ima_policy.c b/security/integrity/ima/ima_policy.c
index aef8c0a923ab..d661afbe474c 100644
--- a/security/integrity/ima/ima_policy.c
+++ b/security/integrity/ima/ima_policy.c
@@ -253,6 +253,8 @@ 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;
 }