diff --git a/providers/openflow/group/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/of/group/impl/OpenFlowGroupProvider.java b/providers/openflow/group/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/of/group/impl/OpenFlowGroupProvider.java
index 78650fe..8acf08e 100644
--- a/providers/openflow/group/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/of/group/impl/OpenFlowGroupProvider.java
+++ b/providers/openflow/group/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/of/group/impl/OpenFlowGroupProvider.java
@@ -334,12 +334,20 @@
         @Override
         public void switchAdded(Dpid dpid) {
             OpenFlowSwitch sw = controller.getSwitch(dpid);
+            if (sw == null) {
+                return;
+            }
             if (isGroupSupported(sw)) {
                 GroupStatsCollector gsc = new GroupStatsCollector(
                         controller.getSwitch(dpid), POLL_INTERVAL);
                 gsc.start();
                 collectors.put(dpid, gsc);
             }
+
+            //figure out race condition
+            if (controller.getSwitch(dpid) == null) {
+                switchRemoved(dpid);
+            }
         }
 
         @Override