diff --git a/nimble/controller/src/ble_ll_sched.c b/nimble/controller/src/ble_ll_sched.c
index 7f1ac96054..c2ec46a434 100644
--- a/nimble/controller/src/ble_ll_sched.c
+++ b/nimble/controller/src/ble_ll_sched.c
@@ -930,10 +930,13 @@ ble_ll_sched_rmv_elem_type(uint8_t type, sched_remove_cb_func remove_cb)
     OS_ENTER_CRITICAL(sr);
 
     first = TAILQ_FIRST(&g_ble_ll_sched_q);
-    if (first->sched_type == type) {
-        first_removed = 1;
+    if (!first) {
+        OS_EXIT_CRITICAL(sr);
+        return;
     }
 
+    first_removed = first->sched_type == type;
+
     TAILQ_FOREACH(entry, &g_ble_ll_sched_q, link) {
         if (entry->sched_type != type) {
             continue;