diff --git a/src/pkg/crypto/tls/handshake_client.go b/src/pkg/crypto/tls/handshake_client.go
index 19d2bfa3ba7..a325a9b953c 100644
--- a/src/pkg/crypto/tls/handshake_client.go
+++ b/src/pkg/crypto/tls/handshake_client.go
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func (c *Conn) clientHandshake() os.Error {
 
 	vers, ok := mutualVersion(serverHello.vers)
 	if !ok {
-		c.sendAlert(alertProtocolVersion)
+		return c.sendAlert(alertProtocolVersion)
 	}
 	c.vers = vers
 	c.haveVers = true