diff --git a/lib/websocket.js b/lib/websocket.js
index 0dd5fb27b..32f092f81 100644
--- a/lib/websocket.js
+++ b/lib/websocket.js
@@ -893,8 +893,6 @@ function socketOnError() {
   this.removeListener('error', socketOnError);
   this.on('error', NOOP);
 
-  if (websocket) {
-    websocket.readyState = WebSocket.CLOSING;
-    this.destroy();
-  }
+  websocket.readyState = WebSocket.CLOSING;
+  this.destroy();
 }