diff --git a/nshlib/nsh_consolemain.c b/nshlib/nsh_consolemain.c
index 8590d0284..23c650d87 100644
--- a/nshlib/nsh_consolemain.c
+++ b/nshlib/nsh_consolemain.c
@@ -65,6 +65,10 @@ int nsh_consolemain(int argc, FAR char *argv[])
   int ret;
 
   DEBUGASSERT(pstate != NULL);
+  if (pstate == NULL)
+    {
+      return -ENOMEM;
+    }
 
   /* Execute the session */