diff --git a/src/main/java/net/openhft/chronicle/map/StatelessChronicleMap.java b/src/main/java/net/openhft/chronicle/map/StatelessChronicleMap.java
index 070611d1a..c3c012792 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/openhft/chronicle/map/StatelessChronicleMap.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/openhft/chronicle/map/StatelessChronicleMap.java
@@ -251,6 +251,7 @@ class StatelessChronicleMap<K, V> implements ChronicleMap<K, V>, Closeable, Clon
             doHandShaking(clientChannel);
         } catch (IOException e) {
             if (closeables != null) closeables.closeQuietly();
+            clientChannel = null;
         }
     }