diff --git a/cmd/gather/cluster/cluster.go b/cmd/gather/cluster/cluster.go
index 3d289fb6ae..2f1e05b1d4 100644
--- a/cmd/gather/cluster/cluster.go
+++ b/cmd/gather/cluster/cluster.go
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ package cluster
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"log"
 	"os"
@@ -104,6 +105,10 @@ func (c *Cluster) GetOperatorLogs() error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	if len(operatorPods.Items) == 0 {
+		return errors.New("no operator pods found")
+	}
+
 	pod := operatorPods.Items[0]
 	c.getPodLogs(pod.Name, pod.Namespace, "manager")
 	return nil