diff --git a/quesma/ingest/processor.go b/quesma/ingest/processor.go
index 1b789de89..249df4727 100644
--- a/quesma/ingest/processor.go
+++ b/quesma/ingest/processor.go
@@ -672,6 +672,9 @@ func (ip *IngestProcessor) processInsertQuery(ctx context.Context,
 	} else if !table.Created {
 		createTableCmd = table.CreateTableString()
 	}
+	if table == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("table %s not found", tableName)
+	}
 	tableConfig = table.Config
 	var jsonsReadyForInsertion []string
 	var alterCmd []string