diff --git a/rls/src/main/java/io/grpc/rls/RlsLoadBalancer.java b/rls/src/main/java/io/grpc/rls/RlsLoadBalancer.java
index 12903044a21..289098e2554 100644
--- a/rls/src/main/java/io/grpc/rls/RlsLoadBalancer.java
+++ b/rls/src/main/java/io/grpc/rls/RlsLoadBalancer.java
@@ -82,7 +82,9 @@ public void handleResolvedAddresses(ResolvedAddresses resolvedAddresses) {
 
   @Override
   public void requestConnection() {
-    routeLookupClient.requestConnection();
+    if (routeLookupClient != null) {
+      routeLookupClient.requestConnection();
+    }
   }
 
   @Override