diff --git a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/package.go b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/package.go
index c5804a05adc..8044e7e6a76 100644
--- a/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/package.go
+++ b/src/cmd/compile/internal/types2/package.go
@@ -48,7 +48,13 @@ func (pkg *Package) SetName(name string) { pkg.name = name }
 // Scope returns the (complete or incomplete) package scope
 // holding the objects declared at package level (TypeNames,
 // Consts, Vars, and Funcs).
-func (pkg *Package) Scope() *Scope { return pkg.scope }
+// For a nil pkg receiver, Scope returns the Universe scope.
+func (pkg *Package) Scope() *Scope {
+	if pkg != nil {
+		return pkg.scope
+	}
+	return Universe
+}
 
 // A package is complete if its scope contains (at least) all
 // exported objects; otherwise it is incomplete.