diff --git a/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c b/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c
index cca3f4aaa3..b7c255f16f 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c
@@ -1143,7 +1143,8 @@ static bool update_ipv6nh_for_route_install(int nh_othervrf, struct bgp *nh_bgp,
 			api_nh->ifindex = 0;
 		}
 	}
-	api_nh->gate.ipv6 = *nexthop;
+	if (nexthop)
+		api_nh->gate.ipv6 = *nexthop;
 
 	return true;
 }