diff --git a/cowrie/core/honeypot.py b/cowrie/core/honeypot.py
index beeda875..940f1631 100644
--- a/cowrie/core/honeypot.py
+++ b/cowrie/core/honeypot.py
@@ -546,7 +546,8 @@ class StdOutStdErrEmulationProtocol(object):
     def errReceived(self, data):
         """
         """
-        self.protocol.terminal.write(data)
+        if self.protocol and self.protocol.terminal:
+            self.protocol.terminal.write(data)
         self.err_data = self.err_data + data