diff --git a/src/core/manager.c b/src/core/manager.c
index 33d7aa1cbb..0e21e14bec 100644
--- a/src/core/manager.c
+++ b/src/core/manager.c
@@ -3543,16 +3543,16 @@ ManagerState manager_state(Manager *m) {
 
         /* Is the special shutdown target active or queued? If so, we are in shutdown state */
         u = manager_get_unit(m, SPECIAL_SHUTDOWN_TARGET);
-        if (unit_active_or_pending(u))
+        if (u && unit_active_or_pending(u))
                 return MANAGER_STOPPING;
 
         /* Are the rescue or emergency targets active or queued? If so we are in maintenance state */
         u = manager_get_unit(m, SPECIAL_RESCUE_TARGET);
-        if (unit_active_or_pending(u))
+        if (u && unit_active_or_pending(u))
                 return MANAGER_MAINTENANCE;
 
         u = manager_get_unit(m, SPECIAL_EMERGENCY_TARGET);
-        if (unit_active_or_pending(u))
+        if (u && unit_active_or_pending(u))
                 return MANAGER_MAINTENANCE;
 
         /* Are there any failed units? If so, we are in degraded mode */