diff --git a/tools/api.go b/tools/api.go
index e1f2f68..d20b00a 100644
--- a/tools/api.go
+++ b/tools/api.go
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ func (a *API) CheckRemotePeer(url string) State {
 		return DEAD
 	}
 	json.Unmarshal(b, &resp)
+	if resp.Data == nil {
+		return DEAD
+	}
 	return ToState(resp.Data.State)
 }