diff --git a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/spl/default.nix b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/spl/default.nix
index c29328687ac7..1c0705f0e2fc 100644
--- a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/spl/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/spl/default.nix
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ let
           kernel.
         '';
 
-        broken = stdenv.lib.versionAtLeast kernel.version "4.14";
+        broken = kernel != null && stdenv.lib.versionAtLeast kernel.version "4.14";
 
         homepage = http://zfsonlinux.org/;
         platforms = platforms.linux;