In this study, an energy-based spectrum sensing method combined with copula theory is proposed for cognitive radio systems. In the proposed spectrum sensing model, cognitive radio users first make their own local spectrum decision with energy-based spectrum sensing. Then, they forward their decision to the fusion center. In the fusion center, this decision is compared with the threshold value determined by copula theory and global spectrum decision is made. The test statistic at the fusion center were obtained with the Neyman Pearson approach. Thus, the fusion rule was created for the fusion center and necessary simulation studies were performed. According to the results of the simulation studies, the proposed detection method showed better results than the traditional energy based detection method.