diff --git a/pri_facility.c b/pri_facility.c
index 4700740..3e2e8ad 100644
--- a/pri_facility.c
+++ b/pri_facility.c
@@ -873,7 +873,7 @@ int mwi_message_send(struct pri *ctrl, q931_call *call, struct pri_sr *req, int
 	unsigned char buffer[255];
 	unsigned char *end;
 
-	if (!req->called[0]) {
+	if (!req->called || !req->called[0]) {
 		return -1;
 	}