diff
--- a/original.c
+++ b/original.c
@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@
 	constant char *p;
 7 	constant char *esc = get_meta_escape();
 8 	size_t esclen = strlen(esc);
+	
+	// Check for null pointer before using strlen
+	if (!esc) {
+	    return NULL; // Or handle the error appropriately
+	}
 
 16 	for (p = s;  p < s + slen;  p++)
 21 		if (metachar(*p))

