diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/pleg/generic.go b/pkg/kubelet/pleg/generic.go
index 1ae955a1dee..80da5bb059c 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/pleg/generic.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/pleg/generic.go
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ func (g *GenericPLEG) updateCache(ctx context.Context, pod *kubecontainer.Pod, p
 	// Evented PLEG after the event has been received by the Kubelet.
 	// For more details refer to:
 	// https://github.com/kubernetes/enhancements/tree/master/keps/sig-node/3386-kubelet-evented-pleg#timestamp-of-the-pod-status
-	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EventedPLEG) && isEventedPLEGInUse() {
+	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EventedPLEG) && isEventedPLEGInUse() && status != nil {
 		timestamp = status.TimeStamp
 	}