diff --git a/source/libs/sync/src/syncMain.c b/source/libs/sync/src/syncMain.c
index 2aaa13f95d..157829986e 100644
--- a/source/libs/sync/src/syncMain.c
+++ b/source/libs/sync/src/syncMain.c
@@ -1640,7 +1640,8 @@ void syncNodeBecomeLeader(SSyncNode* pSyncNode, const char* debugStr) {
 #endif
 
   // close receiver
-  if (snapshotReceiverIsStart(pSyncNode->pNewNodeReceiver)) {
+  if (pSyncNode != NULL && pSyncNode->pNewNodeReceiver != NULL &&
+      snapshotReceiverIsStart(pSyncNode->pNewNodeReceiver)) {
     snapshotReceiverForceStop(pSyncNode->pNewNodeReceiver);
   }