diff --git a/lib/websocket.js b/lib/websocket.js
index e17d6c1a7..cd8929bdc 100644
--- a/lib/websocket.js
+++ b/lib/websocket.js
@@ -901,6 +901,8 @@ function socketOnError() {
   this.removeListener('error', socketOnError);
   this.on('error', NOOP);
 
-  websocket.readyState = WebSocket.CLOSING;
-  this.destroy();
+  if (websocket) {
+    websocket.readyState = WebSocket.CLOSING;
+    this.destroy();
+  }
 }