diff --git a/examples/network/network-chat/connection.cpp b/examples/network/network-chat/connection.cpp
index 414faa80a91..f24e0e2a0b7 100644
--- a/examples/network/network-chat/connection.cpp
+++ b/examples/network/network-chat/connection.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ Connection::Connection(qintptr socketDescriptor, QObject *parent)
 
 Connection::~Connection()
 {
-    if (isGreetingMessageSent) {
+    if (isGreetingMessageSent && QAbstractSocket::state() != QAbstractSocket::UnconnectedState) {
         // Indicate clean shutdown.
         writer.endArray();
         waitForBytesWritten(2000);