diff --git a/interchain_builder.go b/interchain_builder.go
index 6370f903b..63dd0142f 100644
--- a/interchain_builder.go
+++ b/interchain_builder.go
@@ -115,8 +115,10 @@ func BuildInitialChainWithRelayer(
 	t.Cleanup(func() {
 		_ = ic.Close()
 
-		if err := r.StopRelayer(ctx, eRep); err != nil {
-			t.Logf("an error occurred while stopping the relayer: %s", err)
+		if r != nil {
+			if err := r.StopRelayer(ctx, eRep); err != nil {
+				t.Logf("an error occurred while stopping the relayer: %s", err)
+			}
 		}
 	})