diff --git a/connector/external/external.go b/connector/external/external.go
index d4a6caf..637e69e 100644
--- a/connector/external/external.go
+++ b/connector/external/external.go
@@ -333,8 +333,10 @@ func (ext *External) Close() {
 
 	go func() {
 		time.Sleep(1 * time.Second)
-		log.Info("Sending SIGKILL to external process (did not terminate within 1 second)")
-		ext.proc.Process.Kill()
+		if ext.proc != nil {
+			log.Info("Sending SIGKILL to external process (did not terminate within 1 second)")
+			ext.proc.Process.Kill()
+		}
 	}()
 	ext.proc.Wait()
 	log.Info("External process exited")