diff --git a/kernel-module/xt_RTPENGINE.c b/kernel-module/xt_RTPENGINE.c
index 2a0f8b330..08f98f4ef 100644
--- a/kernel-module/xt_RTPENGINE.c
+++ b/kernel-module/xt_RTPENGINE.c
@@ -1341,6 +1341,8 @@ static int proc_status_show(struct seq_file *m, void *v) {
 }
 
 static int proc_status_open(struct inode *i, struct file *f) {
+	if (!try_module_get(THIS_MODULE))
+		return -ENOENT;
 	return single_open(f, proc_status_show, i);
 }