diff --git a/grub-core/script/execute.c b/grub-core/script/execute.c
index 3ad468fce..b88765f1d 100644
--- a/grub-core/script/execute.c
+++ b/grub-core/script/execute.c
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ gettext_putvar (const char *str, grub_size_t len,
     return 0;
 
   /* Enough for any number.  */
-  if (len == 1 && str[0] == '#')
+  if (len == 1 && str[0] == '#' && scope != NULL)
     {
       grub_snprintf (*ptr, 30, "%u", scope->argv.argc);
       *ptr += grub_strlen (*ptr);