diff --git a/src/ioc/db/dbAccess.c b/src/ioc/db/dbAccess.c
index 0b893eeb9..e5a63a9c6 100644
--- a/src/ioc/db/dbAccess.c
+++ b/src/ioc/db/dbAccess.c
@@ -907,6 +907,11 @@ long dbGet(DBADDR *paddr, short dbrType,
         } else {
             DBADDR localAddr = *paddr; /* Structure copy */
 
+            if (pfl->no_elements < 1) {
+                status = S_db_badField;
+                goto done;
+            }
+
             localAddr.field_type = pfl->field_type;
             localAddr.field_size = pfl->field_size;
             localAddr.no_elements = pfl->no_elements;