We have studied the γp → ηφp reaction within the effective Lagrangian approach, by considering the contribution of the intermediate state φ(2170) production, and the background contributions of t-channel π 0 and η mesons exchanges with the intermediate states N and N (1535). Our calculations show that there may be a peak, at least a bump structure around 2180 MeV associated to the resonance φ(2170) in the ηφ mass distribution. We suggest to search for the resonance φ(2170) in this reaction, which would be helpful to shed light on its nature. PACS numbers: