diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/packet/impl/DistributedPacketStore.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/packet/impl/DistributedPacketStore.java
index 793e759..123b727 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/packet/impl/DistributedPacketStore.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/packet/impl/DistributedPacketStore.java
@@ -95,6 +95,10 @@
         NodeId myId = clusterService.getLocalNode().id();
         NodeId master = mastershipService.getMasterFor(packet.sendThrough());
 
+        if (master == null) {
+            return;
+        }
+
         if (myId.equals(master)) {
             notifyDelegate(new PacketEvent(Type.EMIT, packet));
             return;