diff --git a/server/jetstream_cluster.go b/server/jetstream_cluster.go
index b7cc09cd21..9d7fc0550d 100644
--- a/server/jetstream_cluster.go
+++ b/server/jetstream_cluster.go
@@ -2266,7 +2266,7 @@ func (js *jetStream) monitorStream(mset *stream, sa *streamAssignment, sendSnaps
 	// from underneath the one that is running since it will be the same raft node.
 	defer func() {
 		// We might be closing during shutdown, don't pre-emptively stop here since we'll still want to install snapshots.
-		if !mset.closed.Load() {
+		if mset != nil && !mset.closed.Load() {
 			n.Stop()
 		}
 	}()