diff --git a/protocols/lisp/msg/src/main/java/org/onosproject/lisp/msg/types/LispSegmentLcafAddress.java b/protocols/lisp/msg/src/main/java/org/onosproject/lisp/msg/types/LispSegmentLcafAddress.java
index c6a84cc..0004965 100644
--- a/protocols/lisp/msg/src/main/java/org/onosproject/lisp/msg/types/LispSegmentLcafAddress.java
+++ b/protocols/lisp/msg/src/main/java/org/onosproject/lisp/msg/types/LispSegmentLcafAddress.java
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 import java.util.Objects;
 
 import static com.google.common.base.MoreObjects.toStringHelper;
+import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkNotNull;
 
 /**
  * Instance ID type LCAF address class.
@@ -181,6 +182,9 @@
          * @return LispSegmentLcafAddress instance
          */
         public LispSegmentLcafAddress build() {
+
+            checkNotNull(address, "Must specify an address");
+
             return new LispSegmentLcafAddress(reserved1, idMaskLength, flag,
                                               length, instanceId, address);
         }