diff --git a/veilid-core/src/network_manager/mod.rs b/veilid-core/src/network_manager/mod.rs
index 04d95278..66d200af 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/network_manager/mod.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/network_manager/mod.rs
@@ -340,6 +340,14 @@ impl NetworkManager {
             .connection_manager
             .clone()
     }
+    pub fn opt_connection_manager(&self) -> Option<ConnectionManager> {
+        self.unlocked_inner
+            .components
+            .read()
+            .as_ref()
+            .map(|x| x.connection_manager.clone())
+    }
+
     pub fn update_callback(&self) -> UpdateCallback {
         self.unlocked_inner
             .update_callback
diff --git a/veilid-core/src/veilid_api/debug.rs b/veilid-core/src/veilid_api/debug.rs
index 8c7674c5..287af751 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/veilid_api/debug.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/veilid_api/debug.rs
@@ -853,15 +853,20 @@ impl VeilidAPI {
                 Ok("Buckets purged".to_owned())
             } else if args[0] == "connections" {
                 // Purge connection table
-                let connection_manager = self.network_manager()?.connection_manager();
-                connection_manager.shutdown().await;
+                let opt_connection_manager = self.network_manager()?.opt_connection_manager();
+
+                if let Some(connection_manager) = &opt_connection_manager {
+                    connection_manager.shutdown().await;
+                }
 
                 // Eliminate last_connections from routing table entries
                 self.network_manager()?
                     .routing_table()
                     .purge_last_connections();
 
-                connection_manager.startup().await;
+                if let Some(connection_manager) = &opt_connection_manager {
+                    connection_manager.startup().await;
+                }
 
                 Ok("Connections purged".to_owned())
             } else if args[0] == "routes" {