diff --git a/src/main/java/com/intel/jndn/mock/MockFace.java b/src/main/java/com/intel/jndn/mock/MockFace.java
index e1a62de..6a9a11a 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/intel/jndn/mock/MockFace.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/intel/jndn/mock/MockFace.java
@@ -497,6 +497,10 @@
   @Override
   public long registerPrefix(Name prefix, OnInterest onInterest, OnRegisterFailed onRegisterFailed,
           ForwardingFlags flags, WireFormat wireFormat) throws IOException, net.named_data.jndn.security.SecurityException {
+    // since we don't send an Interest, ensure the transport is connected
+    if (!getTransport().getIsConnected())
+      getTransport().connect(node_.getConnectionInfo(), node_);
+    
     lastRegisteredId++;
     handlerMap.put(lastRegisteredId, new MockOnInterestHandler(prefix, onInterest, flags));
     return lastRegisteredId;