diff --git a/usr.bin/login/login.c b/usr.bin/login/login.c
index a02a86d51ee..affb3c5bd04 100644
--- a/usr.bin/login/login.c
+++ b/usr.bin/login/login.c
@@ -417,7 +417,8 @@ main(argc, argv)
 		}
 #endif /* SKEY */
 #else /* !KERBEROS */
-		rval = strcmp(ep, pwd->pw_passwd);
+		if (pwd)
+		    rval = strcmp(ep, pwd->pw_passwd);
 #endif /* KERBEROS */
 		/* clear entered password */
 		memset(p, 0, strlen(p));