diff --git a/connectivity/torProvider.go b/connectivity/torProvider.go
index 85e26c8..e8e06b5 100644
--- a/connectivity/torProvider.go
+++ b/connectivity/torProvider.go
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@ func (ols *onionListenService) Close() {
 
 // GetBootstrapStatus returns an int 0-100 on the percent the bootstrapping of the underlying network is at and an optional string message
 func (tp *torProvider) GetBootstrapStatus() (int, string) {
+	if tp.t == nil {
+		return 0, "error: no tor, trying to restart..."
+	}
 	kvs, err := tp.t.Control.GetInfo("status/bootstrap-phase")
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, "error"