diff --git a/src/internal.c b/src/internal.c
index cceb86d5b..0942bf100 100644
--- a/src/internal.c
+++ b/src/internal.c
@@ -17396,6 +17396,10 @@ int ProcessReplyEx(WOLFSSL* ssl, int allowSocketErr)
 
         /* the record layer is here */
         case runProcessingOneMessage:
+            /* can't process a message if we have no data.  */
+            if (ssl->buffers.inputBuffer.idx
+                >= ssl->buffers.inputBuffer.length)
+                return BUFFER_ERROR;
 
        #if defined(HAVE_ENCRYPT_THEN_MAC) && !defined(WOLFSSL_AEAD_ONLY)
             if (IsEncryptionOn(ssl, 0) && ssl->options.startedETMRead) {