diff --git a/net/nfc/nci/core.c b/net/nfc/nci/core.c
index b133dc55304c..507b92e4978c 100644
--- a/net/nfc/nci/core.c
+++ b/net/nfc/nci/core.c
@@ -1510,6 +1510,8 @@ static void nci_rx_work(struct work_struct *work)
 	struct sk_buff *skb;
 
 	for (; (skb = skb_dequeue(&ndev->rx_q)); kcov_remote_stop()) {
+		if (!skb)
+			return;
 		kcov_remote_start_common(skb_get_kcov_handle(skb));
 
 		/* Send copy to sniffer */