diff --git a/src/cluster/websocket/WebSocket.cc b/src/cluster/websocket/WebSocket.cc
index 115db9aec8..fa2efb51ae 100644
--- a/src/cluster/websocket/WebSocket.cc
+++ b/src/cluster/websocket/WebSocket.cc
@@ -231,7 +231,9 @@ void WebSocketEventDispatcher::Terminate() {
                  wsc->getRemotePort());
 
         QueueReply(WebSocketCloseReply{wsc, 1001, "Terminating"});
-        backend->Terminate();
+
+        if ( backend )
+            backend->Terminate();
     }
 
     clients.clear();