diff --git a/core/iwasm/common/wasm_memory.c b/core/iwasm/common/wasm_memory.c
index 019e0c12..ce7c30ac 100644
--- a/core/iwasm/common/wasm_memory.c
+++ b/core/iwasm/common/wasm_memory.c
@@ -104,6 +104,10 @@ static inline bool
 is_bounds_checks_enabled(WASMModuleInstanceCommon *module_inst)
 {
 #if WASM_CONFIGURABLE_BOUNDS_CHECKS != 0
+    if (!module_inst) {
+        return true;
+    }
+
     return wasm_runtime_is_bounds_checks_enabled(module_inst);
 #else
     return true;