diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gregtechceu/gtceu/common/blockentity/ItemPipeBlockEntity.java b/src/main/java/com/gregtechceu/gtceu/common/blockentity/ItemPipeBlockEntity.java
index a3645036ec..2236621a13 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gregtechceu/gtceu/common/blockentity/ItemPipeBlockEntity.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gregtechceu/gtceu/common/blockentity/ItemPipeBlockEntity.java
@@ -182,6 +182,8 @@ public void onChunkUnloaded() {
 
     public IItemHandlerModifiable getHandler(@Nullable Direction side, boolean useCoverCapability) {
         ensureHandlersInitialized();
+        checkNetwork();
+        if (this.currentItemPipeNet.get() == null) return null;
 
         ItemNetHandler handler = getHandlers().getOrDefault(side, getDefaultHandler());
         if (!useCoverCapability || side == null) return handler;