diff --git a/src/sysusers/sysusers.c b/src/sysusers/sysusers.c
index 9929d1cd97..8dd2890299 100644
--- a/src/sysusers/sysusers.c
+++ b/src/sysusers/sysusers.c
@@ -404,6 +404,8 @@ static int putsgent_with_members(
 #endif
 
 static const char* pick_shell(const Item *i) {
+        assert(i);
+
         if (i->type != ADD_USER)
                 return NULL;
         if (i->shell)