diff --git a/kong/clustering/rpc/manager.lua b/kong/clustering/rpc/manager.lua
index b91882068f3c..22837235cedf 100644
--- a/kong/clustering/rpc/manager.lua
+++ b/kong/clustering/rpc/manager.lua
@@ -266,9 +266,7 @@ function _M:handle_websocket()
   self:_add_socket(s, rpc_capabilities)
 
   -- store DP's ip addr
-  if self.client_ips then
-    self.client_ips[node_id] = ngx_var.remote_addr
-  end
+  self.client_ips[node_id] = ngx_var.remote_addr
 
   s:start()
   local res, err = s:join()