diff --git a/lib/model/sdp/connection.py b/lib/model/sdp/connection.py
index ff2590db8..5a704582b 100644
--- a/lib/model/sdp/connection.py
+++ b/lib/model/sdp/connection.py
@@ -888,7 +888,8 @@ def _setup_listener(self):
         self.__receive_thread.start()
 
     def _close(self):
-        self.logger.debug(f'stopping receive thread {self.__receive_thread.name}')
+        if self.__receive_thread is not None:
+            self.logger.debug(f'stopping receive thread {self.__receive_thread.name}')
         self._listener_active = False
         try:
             self.__receive_thread.join()