diff --git a/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/SocketClient.java b/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/SocketClient.java
index 6dd45e35..47fb6295 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/SocketClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/SocketClient.java
@@ -120,8 +120,6 @@ abstract class SocketClient {
             output.close();
             output = null;
         }
-        input = null;
-        output = null;
     }
 
     public boolean isConnected() {