diff --git a/compiler/wasm32/nwasmmem.pas b/compiler/wasm32/nwasmmem.pas
index adf8659190..380e92c0e0 100644
--- a/compiler/wasm32/nwasmmem.pas
+++ b/compiler/wasm32/nwasmmem.pas
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ implementation
       if codegenerror then
        exit;
 
-      if is_wasm_externref(left.resultdef) then
+      if assigned(left) and is_wasm_externref(left.resultdef) then
         begin
           CGMessagePos(left.fileinfo,type_e_cannot_take_address_of_wasm_externref);
           result:=nil;