diff --git a/hyracks-control-nc/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/hyracks/control/nc/partitions/PipelinedPartition.java b/hyracks-control-nc/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/hyracks/control/nc/partitions/PipelinedPartition.java
index 44e61f1..92dc0b2 100644
--- a/hyracks-control-nc/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/hyracks/control/nc/partitions/PipelinedPartition.java
+++ b/hyracks-control-nc/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/hyracks/control/nc/partitions/PipelinedPartition.java
@@ -91,7 +91,9 @@
     public void fail() throws HyracksDataException {
         ensureConnected();
         failed = true;
-        delegate.fail();
+        if (delegate != null) {
+            delegate.fail();
+        }
     }
 
     @Override