@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package ns

 import (

 	"context"

+	"fmt"

 	"sync"

 	"syscall"

 	"testing"

@@ -30,7 +31,8 @@ func initHandles() {

 	}

 	initNl, err = nlwrap.NewHandle(getSupportedNlFamilies()...)

 	if err != nil {

-		log.G(context.TODO()).Errorf("could not create netlink handle on initial namespace: %v", err)

+		// Fail fast to keep the invariant: NlHandle must be a valid handle

+		panic(fmt.Errorf("could not create netlink handle on initial (host) namespace: %w", err))

 	}

 	err = initNl.SetSocketTimeout(NetlinkSocketsTimeout)

 	if err != nil {