diff --git a/lib/net.js b/lib/net.js
index 1fa358e4dc..a3cb423ef0 100644
--- a/lib/net.js
+++ b/lib/net.js
@@ -610,6 +610,7 @@ function doConnect (socket, port, host) {
     connect(socket.fd, port, host);
   } catch (e) {
     socket.forceClose(e);
+    return;
   }
 
   // Don't start the read watcher until connection is established