diff --git a/client/service.go b/client/service.go
index 0e8a31bb..8cdc2fa7 100644
--- a/client/service.go
+++ b/client/service.go
@@ -228,7 +228,9 @@ func (svr *Service) ReloadConf(pxyCfgs map[string]config.ProxyConf, visitorCfgs
 
 func (svr *Service) Close() {
 	atomic.StoreUint32(&svr.exit, 1)
-	svr.ctl.Close()
+	if svr.ctl != nil {
+		svr.ctl.Close()
+	}
 	svr.closedCh <- true
 }