`p.dataProvider` may become `nil` between individual attempts to
exchange transition configuration with the EL. Harden by capturing
the data provider on function start.
Note that other functions are already hardened, or are unaffected.
Only `close` transitions `p.dataProvider` to `nil`, and `close` is
only called by the main deposits import sequence. During the deposits
import, `close` is not called, so extra checks are not needed.
e6b8bc6527