diff --git a/lib/net/http.rb b/lib/net/http.rb
index 01fcc5dbf..f0439fbec 100644
--- a/lib/net/http.rb
+++ b/lib/net/http.rb
@@ -1189,7 +1189,7 @@ def transport_request(req)
       res
     rescue => exception
       D "Conn close because of error #{exception}"
-      @socket.close unless @socket.closed?
+      @socket.close if @socket and not @socket.closed?
       raise exception
     end