diff --git a/pcbnew/pcb_io/eagle/pcb_io_eagle.cpp b/pcbnew/pcb_io/eagle/pcb_io_eagle.cpp
index 2a55a824ba..df4fd5f84b 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcb_io/eagle/pcb_io_eagle.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcb_io/eagle/pcb_io_eagle.cpp
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * This program source code file is part of KiCad, a free EDA CAD application.
  *
  * Copyright (C) 2012 SoftPLC Corporation, Dick Hollenbeck <dick@softplc.com>
- * Copyright (C) 2012-2023 KiCad Developers, see AUTHORS.txt for contributors.
+ * Copyright (C) 2012-2024 KiCad Developers, see AUTHORS.txt for contributors.
  *
  * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
  * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
@@ -2531,6 +2531,10 @@ void PCB_IO_EAGLE::deleteTemplates()
 
 void PCB_IO_EAGLE::loadClasses( wxXmlNode* aClasses )
 {
+    // Eagle board DTD defines the "classes" element as 0 or 1.
+    if( !aClasses )
+        return;
+
     BOARD_DESIGN_SETTINGS& bds = m_board->GetDesignSettings();
 
     m_xpath->push( "classes.class", "number" );
@@ -2595,6 +2599,10 @@ void PCB_IO_EAGLE::loadClasses( wxXmlNode* aClasses )
 
 void PCB_IO_EAGLE::loadSignals( wxXmlNode* aSignals )
 {
+    // Eagle board DTD defines the "signals" element as 0 or 1.
+    if( !aSignals )
+        return;
+
     ZONES zones;      // per net
     int   netCode = 1;