diff --git a/lib/socket.js b/lib/socket.js
index 71a95ee8c..eee51d216 100644
--- a/lib/socket.js
+++ b/lib/socket.js
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ Socket.prototype.onPacket = function (packet) {
         break;
 
       case 'error':
+        this.transport.close();
         this.onClose('parse error');
         break;
 
@@ -220,6 +221,10 @@ Socket.prototype.clearTransport = function () {
   this.transport.on('error', function(){
     debug('error triggered by discarded transport');
   });
+
+  // ensure transport won't stay open
+  this.transport.close();
+
   clearTimeout(this.pingTimeoutTimer);
 };
 
diff --git a/lib/transport.js b/lib/transport.js
index 993896bf0..d1648227a 100644
--- a/lib/transport.js
+++ b/lib/transport.js
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ Transport.prototype.onRequest = function (req) {
  */
 
 Transport.prototype.close = function (fn) {
+  if ('closed' == this.readyState || 'closing' == this.readyState) return;
+
   this.readyState = 'closing';
   this.doClose(fn || noop);
 };