diff --git a/lib/websocket.js b/lib/websocket.js
index 4d7c4f15e..643124f20 100644
--- a/lib/websocket.js
+++ b/lib/websocket.js
@@ -693,6 +693,8 @@ function receiverOnDrain () {
 function receiverOnError (err) {
   const websocket = this[kWebSocket];
 
+  websocket._socket.removeListener('data', socketOnData);
+
   websocket.readyState = WebSocket.CLOSING;
   websocket._closeCode = err[constants.kStatusCode];
   websocket.emit('error', err);