diff --git a/Lib/test/test_telnetlib.py b/Lib/test/test_telnetlib.py
index 843daf15850..a78b938b86f 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_telnetlib.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_telnetlib.py
@@ -17,9 +17,10 @@ def server(evt, serv):
         conn, addr = serv.accept()
     except socket.timeout:
         pass
+    else:
+        conn.close()
     finally:
         serv.close()
-        conn.close()
         evt.set()
 
 class GeneralTests(TestCase):