diff --git a/apache2/apache2_config.c b/apache2/apache2_config.c
index d4b2a4bd..d27f7c12 100644
--- a/apache2/apache2_config.c
+++ b/apache2/apache2_config.c
@@ -557,13 +557,13 @@ static const char *add_rule(cmd_parms *cmd, directory_config *dcfg, const char *
     /* Check some cases prior to merging so we know where it came from */
 
     /* Must NOT specify a disruptive action in logging phase. */
-    if (rule->actionset->phase == PHASE_LOGGING && (rule->actionset->intercept_action != ACTION_ALLOW && rule->actionset->intercept_action != ACTION_NONE)) {
+    if ((rule->actionset != NULL) && (rule->actionset->phase == PHASE_LOGGING) && (rule->actionset->intercept_action != ACTION_ALLOW && rule->actionset->intercept_action != ACTION_NONE)) {
         return apr_psprintf(cmd->pool, "ModSecurity: Disruptive actions "
             "cannot be specified in the logging phase. %d", rule->actionset->intercept_action);
     }
 
     /* Check syntax for chained rules */
-    if (dcfg->tmp_chain_starter != NULL) {
+    if ((rule->actionset != NULL) && (dcfg->tmp_chain_starter != NULL)) {
         /* Must NOT specify a disruptive action. */
         if (rule->actionset->intercept_action != NOT_SET) {
             return apr_psprintf(cmd->pool, "ModSecurity: Disruptive actions can only "
@@ -591,9 +591,6 @@ static const char *add_rule(cmd_parms *cmd, directory_config *dcfg, const char *
             return apr_psprintf(cmd->pool, "ModSecurity: The skip action can only be used "
                 " by chain starter rules. ");
         }
-
-        rule->chain_starter = dcfg->tmp_chain_starter;
-        rule->actionset->phase = rule->chain_starter->actionset->phase;
     }
 
     /* Merge actions with the parent.
@@ -603,6 +600,11 @@ static const char *add_rule(cmd_parms *cmd, directory_config *dcfg, const char *
     rule->actionset = msre_actionset_merge(modsecurity->msre, dcfg->tmp_default_actionset,
         rule->actionset, 1);
 
+    if (dcfg->tmp_chain_starter != NULL) {
+        rule->chain_starter = dcfg->tmp_chain_starter;
+        rule->actionset->phase = rule->chain_starter->actionset->phase;
+    }
+
     if (rule->actionset->is_chained != 1) {
         /* If this rule is part of the chain but does
          * not want more rules to follow in the chain