diff --git a/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakebuildstep.cpp b/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakebuildstep.cpp
index 670fa49531d..968a39207a2 100644
--- a/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakebuildstep.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/cmakeprojectmanager/cmakebuildstep.cpp
@@ -781,7 +781,8 @@ Environment CMakeBuildStep::baseEnvironment() const
         ProjectExplorer::IDevice::ConstPtr devicePtr = BuildDeviceKitAspect::device(kit());
         result = devicePtr ? devicePtr->systemEnvironment() : Environment::systemEnvironment();
     }
-    buildConfiguration()->addToEnvironment(result);
+    if (buildConfiguration())
+        buildConfiguration()->addToEnvironment(result);
     kit()->addToBuildEnvironment(result);
     result.modify(project()->additionalEnvironment());
     return result;