diff --git a/codersdk/workspaceagents.go b/codersdk/workspaceagents.go
index 7b264aa4ae..8d1fdb39f7 100644
--- a/codersdk/workspaceagents.go
+++ b/codersdk/workspaceagents.go
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ func (c *Client) DialWorkspaceAgentTailnet(ctx context.Context, logger slog.Logg
 				CompressionMode: websocket.CompressionDisabled,
 			})
 			if isFirst {
-				if err != nil && res.StatusCode == http.StatusConflict {
+				if res != nil && res.StatusCode == http.StatusConflict {
 					first <- readBodyAsError(res)
 					return
 				}