diff --git a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_gengrid.c b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_gengrid.c
index b189b5d9d5..55ab4fe5a5 100644
--- a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_gengrid.c
+++ b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_gengrid.c
@@ -1853,7 +1853,7 @@ _item_new(Widget_Data                  *wd,
    if (!it) return NULL;
    it->item = ELM_NEW(Elm_Gen_Item_Type);
    wd->count++;
-   it->group = !strcmp(it->itc->item_style, "group_index");
+   it->group = it->itc->item_style && (!strcmp(it->itc->item_style, "group_index"));
    ELM_GEN_ITEM_SETUP(it);
 
    return it;