diff --git a/src/main/java/org/qortal/network/RNSPeer.java b/src/main/java/org/qortal/network/RNSPeer.java
index 399775db..c0ce575a 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/qortal/network/RNSPeer.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/qortal/network/RNSPeer.java
@@ -230,14 +230,21 @@ public class RNSPeer {
     /** Utility methods */
     public void pingRemote() {
         var link = this.peerLink;
-        log.info("pinging remote: {}", link);
-        var data = "ping".getBytes(UTF_8);
-        link.setPacketCallback(this::linkPacketReceived);
-        Packet pingPacket = new Packet(link, data);
-        PacketReceipt packetReceipt = pingPacket.send();
-        //packetReceipt.setTimeout(3L);
-        packetReceipt.setTimeoutCallback(this::packetTimedOut);
-        packetReceipt.setDeliveryCallback(this::packetDelivered);
+        if (nonNull(link)) {
+            if (peerLink.getStatus() == ACTIVE) {
+                log.info("pinging remote: {}", link);
+                var data = "ping".getBytes(UTF_8);
+                link.setPacketCallback(this::linkPacketReceived);
+                Packet pingPacket = new Packet(link, data);
+                PacketReceipt packetReceipt = pingPacket.send();
+                //packetReceipt.setTimeout(3L);
+                packetReceipt.setTimeoutCallback(this::packetTimedOut);
+                packetReceipt.setDeliveryCallback(this::packetDelivered);
+            } else {
+                log.info("can't send ping to a peer {} with (link) status: {}",
+                    Hex.encodeHexString(peerLink.getDestination().getHash()), peerLink.getStatus());
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     //public void shutdownLink(Link link) {