diff --git a/core/src/main/java/io/grpc/internal/ManagedChannelImpl.java b/core/src/main/java/io/grpc/internal/ManagedChannelImpl.java
index 2e079078fc7..601c7740ca4 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/io/grpc/internal/ManagedChannelImpl.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/io/grpc/internal/ManagedChannelImpl.java
@@ -349,6 +349,9 @@ private class IdleModeTimer implements Runnable {
 
     @Override
     public void run() {
+      if (lbHelper == null) {
+        return;
+      }
       enterIdleMode();
     }
   }