diff --git a/lib/roles/mqtt/ops-mqtt.c b/lib/roles/mqtt/ops-mqtt.c
index 6b812d26a..3f04bf9fa 100644
--- a/lib/roles/mqtt/ops-mqtt.c
+++ b/lib/roles/mqtt/ops-mqtt.c
@@ -313,6 +313,9 @@ rops_handle_POLLOUT_mqtt(struct lws *wsi)
 		return LWS_HP_RET_DROP_POLLOUT;
 	}
 
+	if (!wsi->mqtt)
+		return LWS_HP_RET_BAIL_DIE;
+
 	lws_wsi_mux_dump_waiting_children(wsi);
 
 	do {