diff --git a/pkg/policy/validate.go b/pkg/policy/validate.go
index 18843dfd94..7ffc184752 100644
--- a/pkg/policy/validate.go
+++ b/pkg/policy/validate.go
@@ -997,6 +997,9 @@ func validateConditions(conditions apiextensions.JSON, schemaKey string) (string
 // validateConditionValues validates whether all the values under the 'value' field of a 'conditions' field
 // are apt with respect to the provided 'condition.key'
 func validateConditionValues(c kyverno.Condition) (string, error) {
+	if c.Key == nil || c.Value == nil || c.Operator == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("entered value of `key`, `value` or `operator` is missing or misspelled")
+	}
 	switch strings.ReplaceAll(c.Key.(string), " ", "") {
 	case "{{request.operation}}":
 		return validateConditionValuesKeyRequestOperation(c)