diff --git a/pcbnew/board_connected_item.cpp b/pcbnew/board_connected_item.cpp
index fe504a982c..de54479ea0 100644
--- a/pcbnew/board_connected_item.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/board_connected_item.cpp
@@ -125,10 +125,20 @@ int BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM::GetNetCode() const
 // std::shared_ptr stuff shows up large in performance profiling.
 NETCLASS* BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM::GetEffectiveNetClass() const
 {
+    // Static fallback netclass for items without a valid board (e.g., during DRC evaluation
+    // of dummy items, or items not yet added to a board).
+    static std::shared_ptr<NETCLASS> fallbackNetclass = std::make_shared<NETCLASS>( NETCLASS::Default );
+
     if( m_netinfo && m_netinfo->GetNetClass() )
         return m_netinfo->GetNetClass();
-    else
-        return GetBoard()->GetDesignSettings().m_NetSettings->GetDefaultNetclass().get();
+
+    if( const BOARD* board = GetBoard() )
+    {
+        if( board->GetDesignSettings().m_NetSettings )
+            return board->GetDesignSettings().m_NetSettings->GetDefaultNetclass().get();
+    }
+
+    return fallbackNetclass.get();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcbexpr_functions.cpp b/pcbnew/pcbexpr_functions.cpp
index d6033e3c65..6a982a21cb 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcbexpr_functions.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcbexpr_functions.cpp
@@ -1314,7 +1314,7 @@ static void hasNetclassFunc( LIBEVAL::CONTEXT* aCtx, void* self )
                 BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM* bcItem = static_cast<BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM*>( item );
                 NETCLASS*             netclass = bcItem->GetEffectiveNetClass();
 
-                if( netclass->ContainsNetclassWithName( arg->AsString() ) )
+                if( netclass && netclass->ContainsNetclassWithName( arg->AsString() ) )
                     return 1.0;
 
                 return 0.0;
@@ -1353,7 +1353,7 @@ static void hasExactNetclassFunc( LIBEVAL::CONTEXT* aCtx, void* self )
                 BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM* bcItem = static_cast<BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM*>( item );
                 NETCLASS*             netclass = bcItem->GetEffectiveNetClass();
 
-                if( netclass->GetName() == arg->AsString() )
+                if( netclass && netclass->GetName() == arg->AsString() )
                     return 1.0;
 
                 return 0.0;