diff --git a/runnermanager/runner.go b/runnermanager/runner.go
index 36de119..f424932 100644
--- a/runnermanager/runner.go
+++ b/runnermanager/runner.go
@@ -45,6 +45,10 @@ func (r *Runner) Id() uuid.UUID {
 
 func (r *Runner) RunCommand(cmd string, args []string) (returnCode int64, stdout string, stderr string, err error) {
 
+	if r.conn == nil {
+		return 0, "", "", fmt.Errorf("runner with id %v has nil conn, THIS IS A BUG", r.id)
+	}
+
 	// Write RunCommand message to client
 	serverToRunnerMsg := &runner_api.ServerToRunnerMsg{
 		Msg: &runner_api.ServerToRunnerMsg_RunCommandMsg{