diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 2a93fce8..213f2fd9 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 - Correct handling an explicit schema in the reindexer maintenance service. [PR #916](https://github.com/riverqueue/river/pull/916).
 - Return specific explanatory error when attempting to use `JobListParams.Metadata` with `JobListTx` on SQLite. [PR #924](https://github.com/riverqueue/river/pull/924).
 - The reindexer now skips work if artifacts from a failed reindex are present under the assumption that if they are, a new reindex build is likely to fail again. Context cancel timeout is increased from 15 seconds to 1 minute, allowing more time for reindexes to finish. Timeout becomes configurable with `Config.ReindexerTimeout`. [PR #935](https://github.com/riverqueue/river/pull/935).
+- Accessing `Client.PeriodicJobs()` on an insert-only client now panics with a more helpful explanatory error message rather than an unhelpful nil pointer panic. [PR #938](https://github.com/riverqueue/river/pull/938).
 
 ## [0.22.0] - 2025-05-10
 
diff --git a/client.go b/client.go
index 60dbb9a0..25b4d4f1 100644
--- a/client.go
+++ b/client.go
@@ -2085,8 +2085,20 @@ func (c *Client[TTx]) JobListTx(ctx context.Context, tx TTx, params *JobListPara
 }
 
 // PeriodicJobs returns the currently configured set of periodic jobs for the
-// client, and can be used to add new ones or remove existing ones.
-func (c *Client[TTx]) PeriodicJobs() *PeriodicJobBundle { return c.periodicJobs }
+// client, and can be used to add new or remove existing ones.
+//
+// This function should only be invoked on clients capable of running perioidc
+// jobs. Running periodic jobs requires that the client be electable as leader
+// to run maintenance services, and being electable as leader requires that a
+// client be started. To be startable, a client must have Queues and Workers
+// configured. Invoking this function will panic if these conditions aren't met.
+func (c *Client[TTx]) PeriodicJobs() *PeriodicJobBundle {
+	if !c.config.willExecuteJobs() {
+		panic("client Queues and Workers must be configured to modify periodic jobs (otherwise, they'll have no effect because a client not configured to work jobs can't be started)")
+	}
+
+	return c.periodicJobs
+}
 
 // Driver exposes the underlying pilot used by the client.
 //
diff --git a/client_test.go b/client_test.go
index 9047d9d2..783ed24b 100644
--- a/client_test.go
+++ b/client_test.go
@@ -4479,6 +4479,20 @@ func Test_Client_Maintenance(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	})
 
+	t.Run("PeriodicJobsPanicIfClientNotConfiguredToExecuteJobs", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Parallel()
+
+		config := newTestConfig(t, "")
+		config.Queues = nil
+		config.Workers = nil
+
+		client := newTestClient(t, nil, config)
+
+		require.PanicsWithValue(t, "client Queues and Workers must be configured to modify periodic jobs (otherwise, they'll have no effect because a client not configured to work jobs can't be started)", func() {
+			client.PeriodicJobs()
+		})
+	})
+
 	t.Run("PeriodicJobEnqueuerUsesMiddleware", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()