diff --git a/x-pack/plugin/ccr/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ccr/IndexFollowingIT.java b/x-pack/plugin/ccr/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ccr/IndexFollowingIT.java
index dec671f6e6340..55fcb6ace89fd 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugin/ccr/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ccr/IndexFollowingIT.java
+++ b/x-pack/plugin/ccr/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/xpack/ccr/IndexFollowingIT.java
@@ -983,6 +983,7 @@ private CheckedRunnable<Exception> assertTask(final int numberOfPrimaryShards, f
         return () -> {
             final ClusterState clusterState = followerClient().admin().cluster().prepareState().get().getState();
             final PersistentTasksCustomMetaData taskMetadata = clusterState.getMetaData().custom(PersistentTasksCustomMetaData.TYPE);
+            assertNotNull(taskMetadata);
 
             ListTasksRequest listTasksRequest = new ListTasksRequest();
             listTasksRequest.setDetailed(true);