diff --git a/src/go/rpk/pkg/adminapi/admin.go b/src/go/rpk/pkg/adminapi/admin.go
index c664dec64fdce..a29a2c653ecee 100644
--- a/src/go/rpk/pkg/adminapi/admin.go
+++ b/src/go/rpk/pkg/adminapi/admin.go
@@ -160,9 +160,11 @@ func licenseFeatureChecks(ctx context.Context, fs afero.Fs, cl *rpadmin.AdminAPI
 		}
 		if exists && y != nil {
 			actProfile := y.Profile(p.Name)
-			actProfile.LicenseCheck = licenseCheck
-			if err := y.Write(fs); err != nil {
-				zap.L().Sugar().Warnf("unable to save licensed enterprise features check cache to profile: %v", err)
+			if actProfile != nil {
+				actProfile.LicenseCheck = licenseCheck
+				if err := y.Write(fs); err != nil {
+					zap.L().Sugar().Warnf("unable to save licensed enterprise features check cache to profile: %v", err)
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}