diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/connectivity/Tethering.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/connectivity/Tethering.java
index 16570dbc12de3..58c266f1279be 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/connectivity/Tethering.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/connectivity/Tethering.java
@@ -1206,7 +1206,8 @@ public class Tethering extends BaseNetworkObserver implements IControlsTethering
 
             protected void handleNewUpstreamNetworkState(NetworkState ns) {
                 mIPv6TetheringCoordinator.updateUpstreamNetworkState(ns);
-                mOffloadController.setUpstreamLinkProperties(ns.linkProperties);
+                mOffloadController.setUpstreamLinkProperties(
+                        (ns != null) ? ns.linkProperties : null);
             }
         }