diff --git a/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/icmpv6/echo/gnrc_icmpv6_echo.c b/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/icmpv6/echo/gnrc_icmpv6_echo.c
index 39eea8a97d..a48ac04f37 100644
--- a/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/icmpv6/echo/gnrc_icmpv6_echo.c
+++ b/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/icmpv6/echo/gnrc_icmpv6_echo.c
@@ -93,6 +93,12 @@ void gnrc_icmpv6_echo_req_handle(gnrc_netif_t *netif, ipv6_hdr_t *ipv6_hdr,
     pkt = hdr;
     hdr = gnrc_netif_hdr_build(NULL, 0, NULL, 0);
 
+    if (hdr == NULL) {
+        DEBUG("icmpv6_echo: no space left in packet buffer\n");
+        gnrc_pktbuf_release(pkt);
+        return;
+    }
+
     if (netif != NULL) {
         ((gnrc_netif_hdr_t *)hdr->data)->if_pid = netif->pid;
     }