diff --git a/lib/isc/netmgr/tlsstream.c b/lib/isc/netmgr/tlsstream.c
index d404ee2965..8753dcae9d 100644
--- a/lib/isc/netmgr/tlsstream.c
+++ b/lib/isc/netmgr/tlsstream.c
@@ -957,13 +957,14 @@ tcp_connected(isc_nmhandle_t *handle, isc_result_t result, void *cbarg) {
 	isc_nmhandle_t *tlshandle = NULL;
 
 	REQUIRE(VALID_NMSOCK(tlssock));
-	REQUIRE(VALID_NMHANDLE(handle));
 
 	tlssock->tid = isc_nm_tid();
 	if (result != ISC_R_SUCCESS) {
 		goto error;
 	}
 
+	INSIST(VALID_NMHANDLE(handle));
+
 	tlssock->iface = handle->sock->iface;
 	tlssock->peer = handle->sock->peer;
 	if (isc__nm_closing(tlssock)) {