diff --git a/apps/ifwd/src/main/java/org/onosproject/ifwd/IntentReactiveForwarding.java b/apps/ifwd/src/main/java/org/onosproject/ifwd/IntentReactiveForwarding.java
index 2db3df2..5450bb4 100644
--- a/apps/ifwd/src/main/java/org/onosproject/ifwd/IntentReactiveForwarding.java
+++ b/apps/ifwd/src/main/java/org/onosproject/ifwd/IntentReactiveForwarding.java
@@ -15,11 +15,14 @@
  */
 package org.onosproject.ifwd;
 
+import static org.slf4j.LoggerFactory.getLogger;
+
 import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Activate;
 import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Component;
 import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Deactivate;
 import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Reference;
 import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.ReferenceCardinality;
+import org.onlab.packet.Ethernet;
 import org.onosproject.core.ApplicationId;
 import org.onosproject.core.CoreService;
 import org.onosproject.net.Host;
@@ -39,11 +42,8 @@
 import org.onosproject.net.packet.PacketProcessor;
 import org.onosproject.net.packet.PacketService;
 import org.onosproject.net.topology.TopologyService;
-import org.onlab.packet.Ethernet;
 import org.slf4j.Logger;
 
-import static org.slf4j.LoggerFactory.getLogger;
-
 /**
  * WORK-IN-PROGRESS: Sample reactive forwarding application using intent framework.
  */
@@ -100,6 +100,10 @@
             InboundPacket pkt = context.inPacket();
             Ethernet ethPkt = pkt.parsed();
 
+            if (ethPkt == null) {
+                return;
+            }
+
             HostId srcId = HostId.hostId(ethPkt.getSourceMAC());
             HostId dstId = HostId.hostId(ethPkt.getDestinationMAC());