diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/connectivity/Tethering.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/connectivity/Tethering.java
index 50faf3b..da9c547 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/connectivity/Tethering.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/connectivity/Tethering.java
@@ -405,11 +405,13 @@
         // Check carrier config for entitlement checks
         final CarrierConfigManager configManager = (CarrierConfigManager) mContext
              .getSystemService(Context.CARRIER_CONFIG_SERVICE);
-        boolean isEntitlementCheckRequired = configManager.getConfig().getBoolean(
-             CarrierConfigManager.KEY_REQUIRE_ENTITLEMENT_CHECKS_BOOL);
-
-        if (!isEntitlementCheckRequired) {
-            return false;
+        if (configManager != null && configManager.getConfig() != null) {
+            // we do have a CarrierConfigManager and it has a config.
+            boolean isEntitlementCheckRequired = configManager.getConfig().getBoolean(
+                    CarrierConfigManager.KEY_REQUIRE_ENTITLEMENT_CHECKS_BOOL);
+            if (!isEntitlementCheckRequired) {
+                return false;
+            }
         }
         return (provisionApp.length == 2);
     }