diff --git a/plugins/ipam/dhcp/lease.go b/plugins/ipam/dhcp/lease.go
index ffc379570..dcc7913f5 100644
--- a/plugins/ipam/dhcp/lease.go
+++ b/plugins/ipam/dhcp/lease.go
@@ -292,6 +292,11 @@ func (l *DHCPLease) maintain() {
 	for {
 		var sleepDur time.Duration
 
+		if _, err := netlink.LinkByName(l.link.Attrs().Name); err != nil {
+			log.Printf("%v: interface %s no longer exists, terminating lease maintenance", l.clientID, l.link.Attrs().Name)
+			return
+		}
+
 		switch state {
 		case leaseStateBound:
 			sleepDur = time.Until(l.renewalTime)
@@ -336,6 +341,7 @@ func (l *DHCPLease) maintain() {
 			log.Printf("%v: Checking lease", l.clientID)
 
 		case <-l.stop:
+			log.Printf("%v: received stop signal, releasing lease", l.clientID)
 			if err := l.release(); err != nil {
 				log.Printf("%v: failed to release DHCP lease: %v", l.clientID, err)
 			}