diff --git a/p2p/protocols/protocol.go b/p2p/protocols/protocol.go
index 1ecac2ffe4..4899b35cfb 100644
--- a/p2p/protocols/protocol.go
+++ b/p2p/protocols/protocol.go
@@ -427,6 +427,9 @@ func (p *Peer) Handshake(ctx context.Context, hs interface{}, verify func(interf
 // HasCap returns true fi Peer has a capability
 // with provided name.
 func (p *Peer) HasCap(capName string) (yes bool) {
+	if p == nil || p.Peer == nil {
+		return false
+	}
 	for _, c := range p.Caps() {
 		if c.Name == capName {
 			return true