diff --git a/src/event/quic/ngx_event_quic_protection.c b/src/event/quic/ngx_event_quic_protection.c
index 88e6954cf..8223626b6 100644
--- a/src/event/quic/ngx_event_quic_protection.c
+++ b/src/event/quic/ngx_event_quic_protection.c
@@ -1144,8 +1144,19 @@ ngx_quic_decrypt(ngx_quic_header_t *pkt, uint64_t *largest_pn)
         key_phase = (pkt->flags & NGX_QUIC_PKT_KPHASE) != 0;
 
         if (key_phase != pkt->key_phase) {
-            secret = &pkt->keys->next_key.client;
-            pkt->key_update = 1;
+            if (pkt->keys->next_key.client.ctx != NULL) {
+                secret = &pkt->keys->next_key.client;
+                pkt->key_update = 1;
+
+            } else {
+                /*
+                 * RFC 9001,  6.3. Timing of Receive Key Generation.
+                 *
+                 * Trial decryption to avoid timing side-channel.
+                 */
+                ngx_log_debug0(NGX_LOG_DEBUG_EVENT, pkt->log, 0,
+                               "quic next key missing");
+            }
         }
     }