diff --git a/ipn/message.go b/ipn/message.go
index d8b7d1396..fb5638eca 100644
--- a/ipn/message.go
+++ b/ipn/message.go
@@ -104,7 +104,9 @@ func NewBackendServer(logf logger.Logf, b Backend, sendNotifyMsg func(Notify)) *
 		b:             b,
 		sendNotifyMsg: sendNotifyMsg,
 	}
-	if sendNotifyMsg != nil {
+	// b may be nil if the BackendServer is being created just to
+	// encapsulate and send an error message.
+	if sendNotifyMsg != nil && b != nil {
 		b.SetNotifyCallback(bs.send)
 	}
 	return bs
diff --git a/ipn/message_test.go b/ipn/message_test.go
index 79c4a76b6..194ac3b89 100644
--- a/ipn/message_test.go
+++ b/ipn/message_test.go
@@ -187,3 +187,17 @@ func TestClientServer(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	flushUntil(Running)
 }
+
+func TestNilBackend(t *testing.T) {
+	var called *Notify
+	bs := NewBackendServer(t.Logf, nil, func(n Notify) {
+		called = &n
+	})
+	bs.SendErrorMessage("Danger, Will Robinson!")
+	if called == nil {
+		t.Errorf("expect callback to be called, wasn't")
+	}
+	if called.ErrMessage == nil || *called.ErrMessage != "Danger, Will Robinson!" {
+		t.Errorf("callback got wrong error: %v", called.ErrMessage)
+	}
+}