diff --git a/csharp/src/Google.Protobuf/Reflection/FieldDescriptor.cs b/csharp/src/Google.Protobuf/Reflection/FieldDescriptor.cs
index 69bab4f010..4d87bd7561 100644
--- a/csharp/src/Google.Protobuf/Reflection/FieldDescriptor.cs
+++ b/csharp/src/Google.Protobuf/Reflection/FieldDescriptor.cs
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ namespace Google.Protobuf.Reflection
 
             File.DescriptorPool.AddFieldByNumber(this);
 
-            if (ContainingType != null && ContainingType.Proto.HasOptions && ContainingType.Proto.Options.MessageSetWireFormat)
+            if (ContainingType != null && ContainingType.Proto.Options != null && ContainingType.Proto.Options.MessageSetWireFormat)
             {
                 throw new DescriptorValidationException(this, "MessageSet format is not supported.");
             }