diff --git a/consul/server_test.go b/consul/server_test.go
index 18fe8d2f92..e00d4f2f3c 100644
--- a/consul/server_test.go
+++ b/consul/server_test.go
@@ -605,6 +605,9 @@ func testVerifyRPC(s1, s2 *Server, t *testing.T) (bool, error) {
 		}
 	}
 	s2.localLock.RUnlock()
+	if leader == nil {
+		t.Fatal("no leader")
+	}
 	return s2.connPool.PingConsulServer(leader)
 }