diff --git a/programs/pluto/ikev1.c b/programs/pluto/ikev1.c
index 9f4847874d..f7413f3594 100644
--- a/programs/pluto/ikev1.c
+++ b/programs/pluto/ikev1.c
@@ -2103,7 +2103,9 @@ void process_packet_tail(struct msg_digest *md)
 					diag_t d = pbs_in_struct(&md->message_pbs, &isakmp_ignore_desc,
 								 &pd->payload, sizeof(pd->payload), &pd->pbs);
 					if (d != NULL) {
-						llog_diag(RC_LOG, st->st_logger, &d, "%s", "");
+						llog_diag(RC_LOG,
+							st != NULL ? st->st_logger : md->md_logger,
+							&d, "%s", "");
 						LOG_PACKET(RC_LOG_SERIOUS,
 							   "%smalformed payload in packet",
 							   excuse);
@@ -2172,7 +2174,9 @@ void process_packet_tail(struct msg_digest *md)
 						 &pd->payload, sizeof(pd->payload),
 						 &pd->pbs);
 			if (d != NULL) {
-				llog_diag(RC_LOG, st->st_logger, &d, "%s", "");
+				llog_diag(RC_LOG,
+					st != NULL ? st->st_logger : md->md_logger,
+					&d, "%s", "");
 				LOG_PACKET(RC_LOG_SERIOUS,
 					   "%smalformed payload in packet",
 					   excuse);