diff --git a/net/sched/sch_htb.c b/net/sched/sch_htb.c
index be35422711a3..6febd245e62b 100644
--- a/net/sched/sch_htb.c
+++ b/net/sched/sch_htb.c
@@ -1279,7 +1279,8 @@ static int htb_delete(struct Qdisc *sch, unsigned long arg)
 
 	/* delete from hash and active; remainder in destroy_class */
 	qdisc_class_hash_remove(&q->clhash, &cl->common);
-	cl->parent->children--;
+	if (cl->parent)
+		cl->parent->children--;
 
 	if (cl->prio_activity)
 		htb_deactivate(q, cl);