diff --git a/pkg/scheduler/util/non_zero.go b/pkg/scheduler/util/non_zero.go
index bf8c47c5378..f8a95ab217c 100644
--- a/pkg/scheduler/util/non_zero.go
+++ b/pkg/scheduler/util/non_zero.go
@@ -47,6 +47,9 @@ func GetNonzeroRequests(requests *v1.ResourceList) (int64, int64) {
 // GetNonzeroRequestForResource returns the default resource request if none is found or
 // what is provided on the request.
 func GetNonzeroRequestForResource(resource v1.ResourceName, requests *v1.ResourceList) int64 {
+	if requests == nil {
+		return 0
+	}
 	switch resource {
 	case v1.ResourceCPU:
 		// Override if un-set, but not if explicitly set to zero
@@ -72,13 +75,10 @@ func GetNonzeroRequestForResource(resource v1.ResourceName, requests *v1.Resourc
 		}
 		return quantity.Value()
 	default:
-		if IsScalarResourceName(resource) {
-			quantity, found := (*requests)[resource]
-			if !found {
-				return 0
-			}
-			return quantity.Value()
+		quantity, found := (*requests)[resource]
+		if !found {
+			return 0
 		}
+		return quantity.Value()
 	}
-	return 0
 }