diff --git a/runtime/metricsview/metricssql/parser.go b/runtime/metricsview/metricssql/parser.go
index 418f4181ce8c..f80bc0d29eab 100644
--- a/runtime/metricsview/metricssql/parser.go
+++ b/runtime/metricsview/metricssql/parser.go
@@ -188,10 +188,10 @@ type selectField struct {
 }
 
 func (q *query) parseFrom(ctx context.Context, node *ast.TableRefsClause) error {
-	n := node.TableRefs
-	if n == nil || n.Left == nil {
+	if node == nil || node.TableRefs == nil || node.TableRefs.Left == nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("metrics sql: need `FROM metrics_view` clause")
 	}
+	n := node.TableRefs
 	if n.Right != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("metrics sql: join is not supported")
 	}
diff --git a/runtime/metricsview/metricssql/parser_test.go b/runtime/metricsview/metricssql/parser_test.go
index ec2c576b53e3..a9bd831d20db 100644
--- a/runtime/metricsview/metricssql/parser_test.go
+++ b/runtime/metricsview/metricssql/parser_test.go
@@ -251,6 +251,10 @@ func TestCompile(t *testing.T) {
 			"select pub from ad_bids_metrics, ad_bids_metrics_advanced",
 			"metrics sql: join is not supported",
 		},
+		{
+			"select 1",
+			"metrics sql: need `FROM metrics_view` clause",
+		},
 	}
 
 	clm, err := rt.ResolveSecurity(t.Context(), instanceID, claims, mv)