diff --git a/core/websocket/src/main/java/org/phoebus/core/websocket/WebSocketClient.java b/core/websocket/src/main/java/org/phoebus/core/websocket/WebSocketClient.java
index ef51e31ce7..5d7d8242db 100644
--- a/core/websocket/src/main/java/org/phoebus/core/websocket/WebSocketClient.java
+++ b/core/websocket/src/main/java/org/phoebus/core/websocket/WebSocketClient.java
@@ -178,7 +178,11 @@ public CompletionStage<?> onText(WebSocket webSocket,
      */
     public void close(String reason) {
         keepPinging.set(false);
-        webSocket.sendClose(1000, reason);
+        attemptReconnect.set(false);
+        // webSocket is null if never connected
+        if(webSocket != null){
+            webSocket.sendClose(1000, reason);
+        }
     }
 
     /**