diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/asyncrpc/client.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/asyncrpc/client.py
index d27dbf7121..628b90ee05 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/asyncrpc/client.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/asyncrpc/client.py
@@ -161,10 +161,12 @@ class Client(object):
         self.client.max_chunk = value
 
     def close(self):
-        self.loop.run_until_complete(self.client.close())
-        if sys.version_info >= (3, 6):
-            self.loop.run_until_complete(self.loop.shutdown_asyncgens())
-        self.loop.close()
+        if self.loop:
+            self.loop.run_until_complete(self.client.close())
+            if sys.version_info >= (3, 6):
+                self.loop.run_until_complete(self.loop.shutdown_asyncgens())
+            self.loop.close()
+        self.loop = None
 
     def __enter__(self):
         return self