diff --git a/router/fastdp.go b/router/fastdp.go
index 5e9b6ce0..250f0ac4 100644
--- a/router/fastdp.go
+++ b/router/fastdp.go
@@ -674,7 +674,10 @@ func (fwd *fastDatapathForwarder) sendHeartbeat() {
 		DstPeer:   fwd.remotePeer,
 	}
 	fwd.lock.RUnlock()
-	fwd.Forward(pk).Process(buf, dec, false)
+
+	if fop := fwd.Forward(pk); fop != nil {
+		fop.Process(buf, dec, false)
+	}
 }
 
 const (