diff --git a/src/ibrowse_http_client.erl b/src/ibrowse_http_client.erl
index 92ac431..2ebbd78 100644
--- a/src/ibrowse_http_client.erl
+++ b/src/ibrowse_http_client.erl
@@ -1876,6 +1876,11 @@
             Body
     end.
 
+%% dont message an unexisting server
+%% triggered by :stop or :tcp_closed on an unactive connection
+do_reply(State, undefined, undefined, _, _, Msg) -> 
+    dec_pipeline_counter(State);
+
 do_reply(State, From, undefined, _, Resp_format, {ok, St_code, Headers, Body}) ->
     Msg_1 = {ok, St_code, Headers, format_response_data(Resp_format, Body)},
     gen_server:reply(From, Msg_1),