A protective element for a riser segment, including an elongated buffer body, at least one foot connected with the buffer body, the at least one foot being provided with an engagement part arranged to engage on a main pipe of a riser segment, the distance between the engagement part of the foot and the buffer body being such that in a mounted condition the part of the buffer body located farthest from the main pipe is located farther from the main pipe than auxiliary pipe elements arranged on the main pipe.