diff --git a/protocols/openflow/ctl/src/main/java/org/onosproject/openflow/controller/impl/OFChannelHandler.java b/protocols/openflow/ctl/src/main/java/org/onosproject/openflow/controller/impl/OFChannelHandler.java
index 79e391b346..2714b8e7b6 100644
--- a/protocols/openflow/ctl/src/main/java/org/onosproject/openflow/controller/impl/OFChannelHandler.java
+++ b/protocols/openflow/ctl/src/main/java/org/onosproject/openflow/controller/impl/OFChannelHandler.java
@@ -1267,6 +1267,7 @@ class OFChannelHandler extends ChannelInboundHandlerAdapter
 
         if (dispatcher != null) {
             dispatcher.shutdownNow();
+            dispatcher = null;
         }
 
          if (thisdpid != 0) {