diff --git a/src/output/OutputThread.cxx b/src/output/OutputThread.cxx
index ff30b8d1f..6deadc981 100644
--- a/src/output/OutputThread.cxx
+++ b/src/output/OutputThread.cxx
@@ -443,9 +443,8 @@ AudioOutput::Task()
 			break;
 
 		case Command::CLOSE:
-			assert(open);
-
-			Close(false);
+			if (open)
+				Close(false);
 			CommandFinished();
 			break;