diff --git a/cmd/bucket-lifecycle.go b/cmd/bucket-lifecycle.go
index e80c40a9a..32e9c6060 100644
--- a/cmd/bucket-lifecycle.go
+++ b/cmd/bucket-lifecycle.go
@@ -270,7 +270,9 @@ func (t *transitionState) getDailyAllTierStats() DailyAllTierStats {
 func (t *transitionState) UpdateWorkers(n int) {
 	t.mu.Lock()
 	defer t.mu.Unlock()
-
+	if t.objAPI == nil { // Init hasn't been called yet.
+		return
+	}
 	t.updateWorkers(n)
 }