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 5bf0ac9..b6546cf 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
@@ -97,7 +97,13 @@
 
     private void localEmit(OutboundPacket packet) {
         final Device device = deviceService.getDevice(packet.sendThrough());
+
+        if (device == null) {
+            return;
+        }
+
         final PacketProvider packetProvider = getProvider(device.providerId());
+
         if (packetProvider != null) {
             packetProvider.emit(packet);
         }