diff --git a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/packet/impl/PacketManager.java b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/packet/impl/PacketManager.java
index e682c49..49d21e0 100644
--- a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/packet/impl/PacketManager.java
+++ b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/packet/impl/PacketManager.java
@@ -68,7 +68,9 @@
         checkNotNull(packet, "Packet cannot be null");
         final Device device = deviceService.getDevice(packet.sendThrough());
         final PacketProvider packetProvider = getProvider(device.providerId());
-        packetProvider.emit(packet);
+        if (packetProvider != null) {
+            packetProvider.emit(packet);
+        }
     }
 
     @Override