1 files changed, 3 insertions, 4 deletions

diff --git a/coreutils/tail.c b/coreutils/tail.c
index 8e0adf5b5..10b5cd7a7 100644
--- a/coreutils/tail.c
+++ b/coreutils/tail.c
@@ -118,11 +118,10 @@ int tail_main(int argc, char **argv)
         const char *fmt;
 
         /* Allow legacy syntax of an initial numeric option without -n. */
-        if ((argv[1][0] == '+')
-                || ((argv[1][0] == '-')
+        if (argc >=2 && ((argv[1][0] == '+') || ((argv[1][0] == '-')
                         /* && (isdigit)(argv[1][1]) */
-                        && (((unsigned int)(argv[1][1] - '0')) <= 9))
-                ) {
+                        && (((unsigned int)(argv[1][1] - '0')) <= 9)))) 
+        {
                 optind = 2;
                 optarg = argv[1];
                 goto GET_COUNT;