diff --git a/nats.go b/nats.go
index 0be428932..dc6b4b255 100644
--- a/nats.go
+++ b/nats.go
@@ -5314,6 +5314,9 @@ func (nc *Conn) drainConnection() {
 //
 // See note in Subscription.Drain for JetStream subscriptions.
 func (nc *Conn) Drain() error {
+	if nc == nil {
+		return ErrInvalidConnection
+	}
 	nc.mu.Lock()
 	if nc.isClosed() {
 		nc.mu.Unlock()