diff --git a/sound/core/pcm_misc.c b/sound/core/pcm_misc.c
index 4866aed97aac..5588b6a1ee8b 100644
--- a/sound/core/pcm_misc.c
+++ b/sound/core/pcm_misc.c
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ int snd_pcm_format_set_silence(snd_pcm_format_t format, void *data, unsigned int
 		return 0;
 	width = pcm_formats[(INT)format].phys; /* physical width */
 	pat = pcm_formats[(INT)format].silence;
-	if (! width)
+	if (!width || !pat)
 		return -EINVAL;
 	/* signed or 1 byte data */
 	if (pcm_formats[(INT)format].signd == 1 || width <= 8) {