diff --git a/openbsc/src/libmsc/gsm_04_08.c b/openbsc/src/libmsc/gsm_04_08.c
index 75e464d..3efdb8f 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/libmsc/gsm_04_08.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/libmsc/gsm_04_08.c
@@ -318,6 +318,9 @@
 
 static int gsm0408_authorize(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn, struct msgb *msg)
 {
+	if (!conn->loc_operation)
+		return 0;
+
 	if (authorize_subscriber(conn->loc_operation, conn->subscr))
 		return gsm48_secure_channel(conn,
 			conn->loc_operation->key_seq,