diff --git a/lib/loop.c b/lib/loop.c
index 57252f33..04cf6d49 100644
--- a/lib/loop.c
+++ b/lib/loop.c
@@ -204,9 +204,9 @@ static int interruptible_sleep(struct mosquitto *mosq, time_t reconnect_delay)
 	int maxfd = 0;
 
 #ifndef WIN32
-	while(read(mosq->sockpairR, &pairbuf, 1) > 0);
+	while(mosq->sockpairR != INVALID_SOCKET && read(mosq->sockpairR, &pairbuf, 1) > 0);
 #else
-	while(recv(mosq->sockpairR, &pairbuf, 1, 0) > 0);
+	while(mosq->sockpairR != INVALID_SOCKET && recv(mosq->sockpairR, &pairbuf, 1, 0) > 0);
 #endif
 
 	local_timeout.tv_sec = reconnect_delay;