diff --git a/simgear/io/HTTPClient.cxx b/simgear/io/HTTPClient.cxx
index 4d1f2c0e..95c5c519 100644
--- a/simgear/io/HTTPClient.cxx
+++ b/simgear/io/HTTPClient.cxx
@@ -219,6 +219,7 @@ public:
             activeRequest->responseStart(buffer);
         } catch (sg_exception& e) {
             handleError(EIO);
+            return;
         }
         
       state = STATE_GETTING_HEADERS;