diff --git a/api/mesh/v1alpha1/dataplane_helpers.go b/api/mesh/v1alpha1/dataplane_helpers.go
index 6dc979567ba1..40e74ef10b59 100644
--- a/api/mesh/v1alpha1/dataplane_helpers.go
+++ b/api/mesh/v1alpha1/dataplane_helpers.go
@@ -351,6 +351,9 @@ func (d *Dataplane) GetIdentifyingService() string {
 }
 
 func (d *Dataplane) IsIngress() bool {
+	if d.GetNetworking() == nil {
+		return false
+	}
 	return d.Networking.Ingress != nil
 }