diff --git a/pkg/util/provider/machinecontroller/machine.go b/pkg/util/provider/machinecontroller/machine.go
index 420c3a87d..108f6f1d1 100644
--- a/pkg/util/provider/machinecontroller/machine.go
+++ b/pkg/util/provider/machinecontroller/machine.go
@@ -457,6 +457,12 @@ func (c *controller) triggerCreationFlow(ctx context.Context, createMachineReque
 		addresses.Insert(getMachineStatusResponse.Addresses...)
 	}
 
+	if (c.targetCoreClient != nil && nodeName == "") || providerID == "" {
+		err := status.Error(codes.Internal, fmt.Sprintf("machine %q: nodeName (%q) or providerID (%q) is empty after creation flow", machine.Name, nodeName, providerID))
+		klog.Error(err)
+		return machineutils.MediumRetry, err
+	}
+
 	//Update labels, providerID
 	var clone *v1alpha1.Machine
 	clone, err = c.updateLabels(ctx, createMachineRequest.Machine, nodeName, providerID)