diff --git a/pkg/workers/client/http.go b/pkg/workers/client/http.go
index 98f697372..bcdc78a4b 100644
--- a/pkg/workers/client/http.go
+++ b/pkg/workers/client/http.go
@@ -28,6 +28,20 @@ func NewLocal() (*SonrClient, error) {
 }
 
 // NewRemote creates a new SonrClient for remote production.
-func NewRemote() (*SonrClient, error) {
-	return &SonrClient{}, nil
+func NewRemote(url string) (*SonrClient, error) {
+	// create http client
+	client := &SonrClient{
+		apiURL: url,
+	}
+	// Issue ping to check if server is up
+	resp, err := http.Get(client.apiURL + "/genesis")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer resp.Body.Close()
+	// Check if server is up
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return client, nil
 }