diff --git a/src/switch_profile.c b/src/switch_profile.c
index b4171ef6f2..0f64a5b5f7 100644
--- a/src/switch_profile.c
+++ b/src/switch_profile.c
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ static int read_cpu_stats(switch_profile_timer_t *p,
 	/* test each of the known formats starting from the bigger one */
 	elements = sscanf(cpustr, CPU_INFO_FORMAT_3, user, nice, system, idle, iowait, irq, softirq, steal, &guest);
 	if (elements == CPU_ELEMENTS_3) {
-		user += guest; /* guest operating system's run in user space */
+		*user += guest; /* guest operating system's run in user space */
 		return 0;
 	}