diff --git a/security/nss/lib/pkcs7/certread.c b/security/nss/lib/pkcs7/certread.c
index 3091f9947e..15094f2d78 100644
--- a/security/nss/lib/pkcs7/certread.c
+++ b/security/nss/lib/pkcs7/certread.c
@@ -139,6 +139,11 @@ SEC_ReadPKCS7Certs(SECItem *pkcs7Item, CERTImportCertificateFunc f, void *arg)
         goto done;
     }
 
+    if (contentInfo.content.signedData == NULL) {
+        PORT_SetError(SEC_ERROR_BAD_DER);
+        goto done;
+    }
+
     rv = SECSuccess;
 
     certs = contentInfo.content.signedData->certificates;