diff --git a/lightning/worker/worker.go b/lightning/worker/worker.go
index 0ffa36942..30de2704f 100644
--- a/lightning/worker/worker.go
+++ b/lightning/worker/worker.go
@@ -40,6 +40,9 @@ func (pool *RestoreWorkerPool) Apply() *RestoreWorker {
 }
 
 func (pool *RestoreWorkerPool) Recycle(worker *RestoreWorker) {
+	if worker == nil {
+		panic("invalid restore worker")
+	}
 	pool.workers <- worker
 	metric.IdleWorkersGauge.WithLabelValues(pool.name).Set(float64(len(pool.workers)))
 }