diff --git a/lib/cache.c b/lib/cache.c
index 883aa51..42c0b5e 100644
--- a/lib/cache.c
+++ b/lib/cache.c
@@ -752,7 +752,8 @@ static int cache_include(struct nl_cache *cache, struct nl_object *obj,
 			 * Handle them first.
 			 */
 			if (nl_object_update(old, obj) == 0) {
-				cb(cache, old, NL_ACT_CHANGE, data);
+				if (cb)
+					cb(cache, old, NL_ACT_CHANGE, data);
 				nl_object_put(old);
 				return 0;
 			}