diff --git a/server.go b/server.go
index fd01c45..ee1a6ab 100644
--- a/server.go
+++ b/server.go
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleRegisteredCommand(command string, args []string) {
 			return
 		}
 
-		if s.upstream.State != libnmdc.CONNECTIONSTATE_CONNECTED {
+		if s.upstream == nil || s.upstream.State != libnmdc.CONNECTIONSTATE_CONNECTED {
 			s.reply(errCannotSend, args[0])
 			return
 		}