diff --git a/hbase-server/src/main/java/org/apache/hadoop/hbase/master/HMaster.java b/hbase-server/src/main/java/org/apache/hadoop/hbase/master/HMaster.java
index 6ad9215c614..c66d4473be7 100644
--- a/hbase-server/src/main/java/org/apache/hadoop/hbase/master/HMaster.java
+++ b/hbase-server/src/main/java/org/apache/hadoop/hbase/master/HMaster.java
@@ -2044,7 +2044,9 @@ Server {
   }
 
   public void shutdown() throws IOException {
-    spanReceiverHost.closeReceivers();
+    if (spanReceiverHost != null) { 
+      spanReceiverHost.closeReceivers();
+    }
     if (cpHost != null) {
       cpHost.preShutdown();
     }