diff --git a/posting/mvcc.go b/posting/mvcc.go
index 4f5ad842cac..6ca016b44ab 100644
--- a/posting/mvcc.go
+++ b/posting/mvcc.go
@@ -361,6 +361,9 @@ func ReadPostingList(key []byte, it *badger.Iterator) (*List, error) {
 }
 
 func getNew(key []byte, pstore *badger.DB, readTs uint64) (*List, error) {
+	if pstore.IsClosed() {
+		return nil, badger.ErrDBClosed
+	}
 	txn := pstore.NewTransactionAt(readTs, false)
 	defer txn.Discard()