diff --git a/src/assisted_installer_controller/operator_handler.go b/src/assisted_installer_controller/operator_handler.go
index 37f223ae7a..2abe88bcc0 100644
--- a/src/assisted_installer_controller/operator_handler.go
+++ b/src/assisted_installer_controller/operator_handler.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func (c controller) isOperatorAvailable(handler OperatorHandler) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 
-	if operatorStatusInService.Status != operatorStatus || (operatorStatusInService.StatusInfo != operatorMessage && operatorMessage != "") {
+	if operatorStatusInService != nil && (operatorStatusInService.Status != operatorStatus || (operatorStatusInService.StatusInfo != operatorMessage && operatorMessage != "")) {
 		c.log.Infof("Operator <%s> updated, status: %s -> %s, message: %s -> %s.", operatorName, operatorStatusInService.Status, operatorStatus, operatorStatusInService.StatusInfo, operatorMessage)
 		if !handler.OnChange(operatorStatus) {
 			c.log.WithError(err).Warnf("<%s> operator's OnChange() returned false. Will skip an update.", operatorName)