etmq->period_instructions = instrs_over;
        }
 
-       if (etm->sample_branches &&
-           etmq->prev_packet &&
-           etmq->prev_packet->sample_type == CS_ETM_RANGE &&
-           etmq->prev_packet->last_instr_taken_branch) {
-               ret = cs_etm__synth_branch_sample(etmq);
-               if (ret)
-                       return ret;
+       if (etm->sample_branches && etmq->prev_packet) {
+               bool generate_sample = false;
+
+               /* Generate sample for tracing on packet */
+               if (etmq->prev_packet->sample_type == CS_ETM_TRACE_ON)
+                       generate_sample = true;
+
+               /* Generate sample for branch taken packet */
+               if (etmq->prev_packet->sample_type == CS_ETM_RANGE &&
+                   etmq->prev_packet->last_instr_taken_branch)
+                       generate_sample = true;
+
+               if (generate_sample) {
+                       ret = cs_etm__synth_branch_sample(etmq);
+                       if (ret)
+                               return ret;
+               }
        }
 
        if (etm->sample_branches || etm->synth_opts.last_branch) {