diff --git a/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c b/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c
index 7e8100d..9db246c 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/gsm_data.c
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		if (bts->location_area_code == lac)
+		if (lac == 0 || bts->location_area_code == lac)
 			return bts;
 	}
 	return NULL;