diff --git a/host-bmc/dbus_to_event_handler.cpp b/host-bmc/dbus_to_event_handler.cpp
index 2c9d92e..fcc56f9 100644
--- a/host-bmc/dbus_to_event_handler.cpp
+++ b/host-bmc/dbus_to_event_handler.cpp
@@ -174,6 +174,10 @@
     pldm_state_sensor_pdr* pdr = nullptr;
     std::unique_ptr<pldm_pdr, decltype(&pldm_pdr_destroy)> sensorPdrRepo(
         pldm_pdr_init(), pldm_pdr_destroy);
+    if (!sensorPdrRepo)
+    {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Unable to instantiate sensor PDR repository");
+    }
 
     for (auto pdrType : pdrTypes)
     {