diff --git a/blockservice/blockservice.go b/blockservice/blockservice.go
index 37c4b35da..423697d87 100644
--- a/blockservice/blockservice.go
+++ b/blockservice/blockservice.go
@@ -422,6 +422,9 @@ func (s *blockService) DeleteBlock(ctx context.Context, c cid.Cid) error {
 
 func (s *blockService) Close() error {
 	logger.Debug("blockservice is shutting down...")
+	if s.exchange == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
 	return s.exchange.Close()
 }