diff --git a/OpenSim/Framework/Servers/HttpServer/WebsocketServerHandler.cs b/OpenSim/Framework/Servers/HttpServer/WebsocketServerHandler.cs
index cfb1605001..bb8825b118 100644
--- a/OpenSim/Framework/Servers/HttpServer/WebsocketServerHandler.cs
+++ b/OpenSim/Framework/Servers/HttpServer/WebsocketServerHandler.cs
@@ -535,6 +535,8 @@ namespace OpenSim.Framework.Servers.HttpServer
         /// <param name="message"></param>
         public void Close(string message)
         {
+            if (_networkContext == null)
+                return;
             if (_networkContext.Stream != null)
             {
                 if (_networkContext.Stream.CanWrite)