diff --git a/source/dnode/mnode/impl/src/mnode.c b/source/dnode/mnode/impl/src/mnode.c
index e57ee3eabc..92e4d44b77 100644
--- a/source/dnode/mnode/impl/src/mnode.c
+++ b/source/dnode/mnode/impl/src/mnode.c
@@ -461,6 +461,8 @@ void mndProcessMsg(SMnodeMsg *pMsg) {
 
 PROCESS_RPC_END:
   if (isReq) {
+    if (pMsg->rpcMsg.handle == NULL) return;
+
     if (code == TSDB_CODE_APP_NOT_READY) {
       mndSendRedirectRsp(pMnode, &pMsg->rpcMsg);
     } else if (code != 0) {
diff --git a/source/libs/transport/src/rpcMain.c b/source/libs/transport/src/rpcMain.c
index f5e9153098..3bb7d103d7 100644
--- a/source/libs/transport/src/rpcMain.c
+++ b/source/libs/transport/src/rpcMain.c
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ void rpcSendRequest(void *shandle, const SEpSet *pEpSet, SRpcMsg *pMsg, int64_t
 }
 
 void rpcSendResponse(const SRpcMsg *pRsp) {
-  if (pRsp->handle == NULL) return;
+  ASSERT(pRsp->handle != NULL);
 
   int       msgLen = 0;
   SRpcConn *pConn = (SRpcConn *)pRsp->handle;