diff --git a/lib/util/io_channel.c b/lib/util/io_channel.c
index 89c5ee7fb..d1ce7c543 100644
--- a/lib/util/io_channel.c
+++ b/lib/util/io_channel.c
@@ -208,6 +208,11 @@ spdk_poller_register(spdk_poller_fn fn,
 		abort();
 	}
 
+	if (!thread->start_poller_fn || !thread->stop_poller_fn) {
+		SPDK_ERRLOG("No related functions to start requested poller\n");
+		abort();
+	}
+
 	poller = thread->start_poller_fn(thread->thread_ctx, fn, arg, period_microseconds);
 	if (!poller) {
 		SPDK_ERRLOG("Unable to start requested poller\n");