diff --git a/lib/net/peer.js b/lib/net/peer.js
index 10f35161..501928a1 100644
--- a/lib/net/peer.js
+++ b/lib/net/peer.js
@@ -654,13 +654,14 @@ Peer.prototype.sendVersion = function sendVersion() {
 
 Peer.prototype.sendPing = function sendPing() {
   if (!this.version)
-    return;
+    return Promise.resolve();
 
   if (this.version.version <= 60000)
     return this.send(new packets.PingPacket());
 
   if (this.challenge) {
     this.logger.debug('Peer has not responded to ping (%s).', this.hostname);
+    this.destroy();
     return Promise.resolve();
   }