diff --git a/src/Nethermind/Nethermind.Consensus.AuRa/AuRaPlugin.cs b/src/Nethermind/Nethermind.Consensus.AuRa/AuRaPlugin.cs
index adab94dde86..0e1dd922ded 100644
--- a/src/Nethermind/Nethermind.Consensus.AuRa/AuRaPlugin.cs
+++ b/src/Nethermind/Nethermind.Consensus.AuRa/AuRaPlugin.cs
@@ -42,7 +42,10 @@ public ValueTask DisposeAsync()
         public Task Init(INethermindApi nethermindApi)
         {
             _nethermindApi = nethermindApi as AuRaNethermindApi;
-            _blockProducerStarter = new(_nethermindApi);
+            if (_nethermindApi is not null)
+            {
+                _blockProducerStarter = new(_nethermindApi);
+            }
             return Task.CompletedTask;
         }