diff --git a/tests/rigctld.c b/tests/rigctld.c
index 5af56a731..6c01c9ebe 100644
--- a/tests/rigctld.c
+++ b/tests/rigctld.c
@@ -1167,6 +1167,7 @@ void *handle_socket(void *arg)
     {
         rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_ERR, "%s: fdopen out: %s\n", __func__, strerror(errno));
         fclose(fsockin);
+        fsockin = NULL;
 
         goto handle_exit;
     }