diff --git a/lib/Cake/Model/Datasource/CakeSession.php b/lib/Cake/Model/Datasource/CakeSession.php
index 96a66d899cd..66497170f8f 100644
--- a/lib/Cake/Model/Datasource/CakeSession.php
+++ b/lib/Cake/Model/Datasource/CakeSession.php
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ public static function id($id = null) {
  * @return bool Success
  */
 	public static function delete($name) {
-		if (self::check($name)) {
+		if (self::start() && self::check($name)) {
 			self::_overwrite($_SESSION, Hash::remove($_SESSION, $name));
 			return !self::check($name);
 		}
diff --git a/lib/Cake/Test/Case/Model/Datasource/CakeSessionTest.php b/lib/Cake/Test/Case/Model/Datasource/CakeSessionTest.php
index 7f70ea82ce1..677e38b76ab 100644
--- a/lib/Cake/Test/Case/Model/Datasource/CakeSessionTest.php
+++ b/lib/Cake/Test/Case/Model/Datasource/CakeSessionTest.php
@@ -365,6 +365,12 @@ public function testStarted() {
  * @return void
  */
 	public function testDelete() {
+		$this->assertTrue(TestCakeSession::write('Delete.me', 'Clearing out'));
+
+		session_write_close();
+		$this->assertTrue(TestCakeSession::delete('Delete.me'));
+		$this->assertFalse(TestCakeSession::check('Delete.me'));
+
 		$this->assertTrue(TestCakeSession::write('Delete.me', 'Clearing out'));
 		$this->assertTrue(TestCakeSession::delete('Delete.me'));
 		$this->assertFalse(TestCakeSession::check('Delete.me'));