diff --git a/src/channel.cpp b/src/channel.cpp
index 356c006..21281bf 100644
--- a/src/channel.cpp
+++ b/src/channel.cpp
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ int NeoComm_join_channel(const char *channel_name) {
 }
 
 void NeoComm_leave_channel(const char *channel_name) {
+	if(not node.isRunning())
+		return;
 	const std::string s_chan_name(channel_name);
 	if(channels.find(s_chan_name) == channels.end())
 		return;