diff --git a/plugins/dell/fu-dell-common.c b/plugins/dell/fu-dell-common.c
index 4b8366b28..71994c586 100644
--- a/plugins/dell/fu-dell-common.c
+++ b/plugins/dell/fu-dell-common.c
@@ -159,9 +159,10 @@ fu_dell_detect_dock (FuDellSmiObj *smi_obj, guint32 *location)
 		g_debug ("no dock plugged in");
 		return FALSE;
 	}
-	*location = count_out->location;
 	g_debug ("Dock count %u, location %u.",
-		 count_out->count, *location);
+		 count_out->count, count_out->location);
+	if (location != NULL)
+		*location = count_out->location;
 	return TRUE;
 }