diff --git a/plugins/c9.vfs.client/vfs_client.js b/plugins/c9.vfs.client/vfs_client.js
index 9ca3bf84..9ab1e380 100644
--- a/plugins/c9.vfs.client/vfs_client.js
+++ b/plugins/c9.vfs.client/vfs_client.js
@@ -330,8 +330,10 @@ define(function(require, exports, module) {
         }
         
         function isIdle() {
+            if (!connection || !consumer)
+                return false;
             return !Object.keys(connection.unacked).length &&
-                consumer && !Object.keys(consumer.callbacks || {}).length;
+                !Object.keys(consumer.callbacks || {}).length;
         }
         
         /***** Lifecycle *****/