diff --git a/utils/manager.go b/utils/manager.go
index b0616bd..f87d943 100644
--- a/utils/manager.go
+++ b/utils/manager.go
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func (p *PeerHelper) GetNick(id string) string {
 				// we do not have a canonical nick for this contact.
 				// re-request if authenticated
 				// TODO: This check probably doesn't belong here...
-				if p.peer.GetContact(id).State == connections.ConnectionStateName[connections.AUTHENTICATED] {
+				if contact := p.peer.GetContact(id); contact != nil && contact.State == connections.ConnectionStateName[connections.AUTHENTICATED] {
 					p.peer.SendGetValToPeer(id, attr.PublicScope, constants.Name)
 				}
 			}