diff --git a/lib/net_uv.js b/lib/net_uv.js
index 8e000f68159..d45346e6f3e 100644
--- a/lib/net_uv.js
+++ b/lib/net_uv.js
@@ -440,15 +440,16 @@ Socket.prototype.connect = function(port /* [host], [cb] */) {
 
 function afterConnect(status, handle, req) {
   var self = handle.socket;
-  assert.equal(handle, self._handle);
-
-  debug("afterConnect");
 
   // callback may come after call to destroy
   if (self.destroyed) {
     return;
   }
 
+  assert.equal(handle, self._handle);
+
+  debug("afterConnect");
+
   assert.ok(self._connecting);
   self._connecting = false;