diff --git a/src/com/codebutler/android_websockets/SocketIOClient.java b/src/com/codebutler/android_websockets/SocketIOClient.java
index 00a08c2..c07ee5a 100644
--- a/src/com/codebutler/android_websockets/SocketIOClient.java
+++ b/src/com/codebutler/android_websockets/SocketIOClient.java
@@ -267,7 +267,8 @@ public void disconnect() throws IOException {
     }
 
     private void cleanup() {
-        mClient.disconnect();
+        if (mClient != null)
+            mClient.disconnect();
         mClient = null;
 
         mSendLooper.quit();