diff --git a/lib/Transport.js b/lib/Transport.js
index f86f73c8f..42e744ba0 100644
--- a/lib/Transport.js
+++ b/lib/Transport.js
@@ -676,6 +676,7 @@ function defaultNodeFilter(node) {
   // avoid cluster_manager or master only nodes
   // TODO: remove role check on master when master is not supported
   if (
+    node.roles &&
     (node.roles.cluster_manager === true || node.roles.master === true) &&
     node.roles.data === false &&
     node.roles.ingest === false