diff --git a/update_attempter.cc b/update_attempter.cc
index 34cd575..fb4d223 100644
--- a/update_attempter.cc
+++ b/update_attempter.cc
@@ -727,7 +727,7 @@
     // Enterprise-enrolled devices have an empty owner in their device policy.
     string owner;
     const policy::DevicePolicy* device_policy = system_state_->device_policy();
-    if (!device_policy->GetOwner(&owner) || owner.empty()) {
+    if (device_policy && (!device_policy->GetOwner(&owner) || owner.empty())) {
       LOG(ERROR) << "Enterprise device detected. "
                  << "Cannot perform a powerwash for enterprise devices.";
       return false;