diff --git a/libc/bionic/system_properties.c b/libc/bionic/system_properties.c
index 4c2e5a21f..fd5643145 100644
--- a/libc/bionic/system_properties.c
+++ b/libc/bionic/system_properties.c
@@ -325,6 +325,8 @@ static void *to_prop_obj(prop_off_t off)
 {
     if (off > pa_data_size)
         return NULL;
+    if (!__system_property_area__)
+        return NULL;
 
     return __system_property_area__->data + off;
 }
@@ -384,6 +386,8 @@ static const prop_info *find_property(prop_bt *trie, const char *name,
 {
     const char *remaining_name = name;
 
+    if (!trie) return NULL;
+
     while (true) {
         char *sep = strchr(remaining_name, '.');
         bool want_subtree = (sep != NULL);