diff --git a/src/gpio/gpio.c b/src/gpio/gpio.c
index 2734609..7486483 100644
--- a/src/gpio/gpio.c
+++ b/src/gpio/gpio.c
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ mraa_gpio_init_internal(mraa_adv_func_t* func_table, int pin)
     dev->isr_thread_terminating = 0;
     dev->phy_pin = -1;
 
-    if (!plat->chardev_capable) {
+    if ((plat != NULL) && (!plat->chardev_capable)) {
         char bu[MAX_SIZE];
         int length;