diff --git a/pkg/tasks/check_consensus_sync_status/task.go b/pkg/tasks/check_consensus_sync_status/task.go
index 0bde1b07..248ad82c 100644
--- a/pkg/tasks/check_consensus_sync_status/task.go
+++ b/pkg/tasks/check_consensus_sync_status/task.go
@@ -214,13 +214,21 @@ func (t *Task) processClientCheck(client *clients.PoolClient, syncStatus *rpc.Sy
 }
 
 func (t *Task) getClientInfo(client *clients.PoolClient, syncStatus *rpc.SyncStatus) *ClientInfo {
-	clientInfo := &ClientInfo{
+	if syncStatus == nil {
+		// RPC failed — return skeletal info without dereferencing.
+		return &ClientInfo{
+			Name:          client.Config.Name,
+			Synchronizing: true, // assume unhealthy when status is unknown
+			SyncHead:      0,
+			SyncDistance:  0,
+		}
+	}
+
+	return &ClientInfo{
 		Name:          client.Config.Name,
 		Synchronizing: syncStatus.IsSyncing,
 		Optimistic:    syncStatus.IsOptimistic,
 		SyncHead:      syncStatus.HeadSlot,
 		SyncDistance:  syncStatus.SyncDistance,
 	}
-
-	return clientInfo
 }