diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy/pick_first/pick_first.cc b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy/pick_first/pick_first.cc
index e0deed27442..411d528354a 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy/pick_first/pick_first.cc
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy/pick_first/pick_first.cc
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ void PickFirst::ExitIdleLocked() {
 }
 
 void PickFirst::ResetBackoffLocked() {
-  subchannel_list_->ResetBackoffLocked();
+  if (subchannel_list_ != nullptr) subchannel_list_->ResetBackoffLocked();
   if (latest_pending_subchannel_list_ != nullptr) {
     latest_pending_subchannel_list_->ResetBackoffLocked();
   }