diff --git a/intra/ipn/auto.go b/intra/ipn/auto.go
index 4f6f9e5d..b59ca7e9 100644
--- a/intra/ipn/auto.go
+++ b/intra/ipn/auto.go
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ func maybeKeepAlive(c net.Conn) (keepingalive bool) {
 }
 
 func maybeKeepAlive2(c net.Conn) (keepingalive, ok bool) {
-	if c == nil {
+	if c == nil || core.IsNil(c) {
 		return
 	}