diff --git a/os/io.c b/os/io.c
index b099f0967..939f51743 100644
--- a/os/io.c
+++ b/os/io.c
@@ -557,6 +557,11 @@ void
 ResetCurrentRequest(ClientPtr client)
 {
     OsCommPtr oc = (OsCommPtr) client->osPrivate;
+
+    /* ignore dying clients */
+    if (!oc)
+        return;
+
     register ConnectionInputPtr oci = oc->input;
     register xReq *request;
     int gotnow, needed;