diff --git a/api/sys_stepdown.go b/api/sys_stepdown.go
index 21db3d8e58..55dc6fbcb7 100644
--- a/api/sys_stepdown.go
+++ b/api/sys_stepdown.go
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ func (c *Sys) StepDown() error {
 	ctx, cancelFunc := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	defer cancelFunc()
 	resp, err := c.c.RawRequestWithContext(ctx, r)
-	if err == nil {
-		defer resp.Body.Close()
+	if resp != nil && resp.Body != nil {
+		resp.Body.Close()
 	}
 	return err
 }