diff --git a/utils_linux.go b/utils_linux.go
index e81e4228..a9587f7d 100644
--- a/utils_linux.go
+++ b/utils_linux.go
@@ -378,6 +378,9 @@ func (r *runner) checkTerminal(config *specs.Process) error {
 }
 
 func validateProcessSpec(spec *specs.Process) error {
+	if spec == nil {
+		return errors.New("process property must not be empty")
+	}
 	if spec.Cwd == "" {
 		return errors.New("Cwd property must not be empty")
 	}