diff --git a/br/pkg/backup/schema.go b/br/pkg/backup/schema.go
index bb0cf7f884189..63847d01549c6 100644
--- a/br/pkg/backup/schema.go
+++ b/br/pkg/backup/schema.go
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func (ss *Schemas) BackupSchemas(
 
 		var checksum *checkpoint.ChecksumItem
 		var exists bool = false
-		if ss.checkpointChecksum != nil {
+		if ss.checkpointChecksum != nil && schema.tableInfo != nil {
 			checksum, exists = ss.checkpointChecksum[schema.tableInfo.ID]
 		}
 		workerPool.ApplyOnErrorGroup(errg, func() error {