diff --git a/bridge/slack/slack.go b/bridge/slack/slack.go
index d2d118b2..924f4131 100644
--- a/bridge/slack/slack.go
+++ b/bridge/slack/slack.go
@@ -147,6 +147,11 @@ func (b *Bslack) Disconnect() error {
 // allow apps or bots to join channels themselves and they need to be invited
 // manually by a user.
 func (b *Bslack) JoinChannel(channel config.ChannelInfo) error {
+	// We can only join a channel through the Slack API.
+	if b.sc == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	b.populateChannels()
 
 	channelInfo, err := b.getChannel(channel.Name)