diff --git a/lib/net/peer.js b/lib/net/peer.js
index b0e0c338..e0834a13 100644
--- a/lib/net/peer.js
+++ b/lib/net/peer.js
@@ -1052,9 +1052,6 @@ Peer.prototype.getData = function getData(items) {
 Peer.prototype._onPacket = co(function* onPacket(packet) {
   var unlock;
 
-  if (this.destroyed)
-    throw new Error('Destroyed peer sent a packet.');
-
   switch (packet.type) {
     case packetTypes.VERSION:
     case packetTypes.CMPCTBLOCK:
@@ -1082,6 +1079,9 @@ Peer.prototype._onPacket = co(function* onPacket(packet) {
 Peer.prototype.__onPacket = co(function* onPacket(packet) {
   this.lastRecv = util.ms();
 
+  if (this.destroyed)
+    throw new Error('Destroyed peer sent a packet.');
+
   if (this.bip151
       && !this.bip151.completed
       && packet.type !== packetTypes.ENCINIT