diff --git a/server/src/main/java/io/druid/client/DirectDruidClient.java b/server/src/main/java/io/druid/client/DirectDruidClient.java
index 5292628d8ea..8befef5cabb 100644
--- a/server/src/main/java/io/druid/client/DirectDruidClient.java
+++ b/server/src/main/java/io/druid/client/DirectDruidClient.java
@@ -292,7 +292,9 @@ public class DirectDruidClient<T> implements QueryRunner<T>
     @Override
     public void close() throws IOException
     {
-      jp.close();
+      if(jp != null) {
+        jp.close();
+      }
     }
   }
 }