diff --git a/lib/pool.js b/lib/pool.js
index 01ca3be..b687af9 100644
--- a/lib/pool.js
+++ b/lib/pool.js
@@ -292,6 +292,10 @@ function Miner(id, login, pass, ipAddress, startingDiff, messageSender, protoVer
         this.error = "Exchange addresses need payment IDs";
         this.valid_miner = false;
     }
+    if (!activeBlockTemplate){
+        this.error = "No active block template";
+        this.valid_miner = false;
+    }
 
     this.id = id;
     this.ipAddress = ipAddress;