diff --git a/WordPress/Classes/Services/BlogService.m b/WordPress/Classes/Services/BlogService.m
index 8b487978cb32..b2fa70746ff6 100644
--- a/WordPress/Classes/Services/BlogService.m
+++ b/WordPress/Classes/Services/BlogService.m
@@ -56,6 +56,15 @@ - (void)syncBlog:(Blog *)blog
          success:(void (^)(void))success
          failure:(void (^)(NSError *error))failure
 {
+    if (!blog) {
+        // Reuse an existing error type. This branch is an edge case and no caller inspects the error.
+        NSError *error = [NSError errorWithDomain:WordPressComRestApiErrorDomain
+                                             code:WordPressComRestApiErrorCodeInvalidInput
+                                         userInfo:@{NSDebugDescriptionErrorKey: @"Cannot sync a nil blog"}];
+        failure(error);
+        return;
+    }
+
     if ([blog supports:BlogFeatureWpComRESTAPI]) {
         id<BlogServiceRemote> remote = [self remoteForBlog:blog];
         if ([remote isKindOfClass:[BlogServiceRemoteREST class]]) {
diff --git a/WordPress/Classes/ViewRelated/Stats/StatsViewController.h b/WordPress/Classes/ViewRelated/Stats/StatsViewController.h
index 833593145927..7871c554749c 100644
--- a/WordPress/Classes/ViewRelated/Stats/StatsViewController.h
+++ b/WordPress/Classes/ViewRelated/Stats/StatsViewController.h
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 @interface StatsViewController : UIViewController
 
-@property (nonatomic, weak, nullable) Blog *blog;
+@property (nonatomic, strong, nullable) Blog *blog;
 @property (nonatomic, copy, nullable) void (^dismissBlock)(void);
 
 @end
diff --git a/WordPress/Classes/ViewRelated/Stats/StatsViewController.swift b/WordPress/Classes/ViewRelated/Stats/StatsViewController.swift
index d9920058fac5..989153f8f160 100644
--- a/WordPress/Classes/ViewRelated/Stats/StatsViewController.swift
+++ b/WordPress/Classes/ViewRelated/Stats/StatsViewController.swift
@@ -1,7 +1,14 @@
+import WordPressShared
+
 extension StatsViewController {
 
     @objc public func showJetpackConnectionView(completion: @escaping () -> Void) {
-        let controller = UIViewController.jetpackConnection(blog: self.blog!)
+        // `blog` should be non-nil now that the property is strongly held. Report a
+        // non-fatal (don't call `completion()` — it re-enters initStats and loops).
+        guard let blog = self.blog else {
+            return wpAssertionFailure("showJetpackConnectionView called with a nil blog")
+        }
+        let controller = UIViewController.jetpackConnection(blog: blog)
         controller.completionBlock = { [weak controller] in
             guard let controller else { return }
             controller.view?.removeFromSuperview()