diff --git a/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier.go b/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier.go
index 9dc69e78d0f..d5f281ed5b0 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/ipvs/proxier.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ package ipvs
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"io/ioutil"
@@ -2007,10 +2008,13 @@ func (proxier *Proxier) syncService(svcName string, vs *utilipvs.VirtualServer,
 
 func (proxier *Proxier) syncEndpoint(svcPortName proxy.ServicePortName, onlyNodeLocalEndpoints bool, vs *utilipvs.VirtualServer) error {
 	appliedVirtualServer, err := proxier.ipvs.GetVirtualServer(vs)
-	if err != nil || appliedVirtualServer == nil {
+	if err != nil {
 		klog.Errorf("Failed to get IPVS service, error: %v", err)
 		return err
 	}
+	if appliedVirtualServer == nil {
+		return errors.New("IPVS virtual service does not exist")
+	}
 
 	// curEndpoints represents IPVS destinations listed from current system.
 	curEndpoints := sets.NewString()