diff --git a/src/wolfgame.py b/src/wolfgame.py
index 2e73d88..a747f72 100644
--- a/src/wolfgame.py
+++ b/src/wolfgame.py
@@ -440,9 +440,6 @@ def forced_exit(cli, nick, chan, rest):
         # the operator should see this on console anyway even though it isn't logged
         traceback.print_exc()
         sys.exit()
-    finally:
-        cli.socket.close() # in case it didn't close, force it to
-
 
 def _restart_program(cli, mode=None):
     plog("RESTARTING")
@@ -514,11 +511,8 @@ def restart_program(cli, nick, chan, rest):
         nick, _, __, host = parse_nick(raw_nick)
         # restart the bot once our quit message goes though to ensure entire IRC queue is sent
         # if the bot is using a nick that isn't botconfig.NICK, then stop breaking things and fdie
-        try:
-            if nick == botconfig.NICK:
-                _restart_program(cli, mode)
-        finally:
-            cli.socket.close()
+        if nick == botconfig.NICK:
+            _restart_program(cli, mode)
 
     # This is checked in the on_error handler. Some IRCds, such as InspIRCd, don't send the bot
     # its own QUIT message, so we need to use ERROR. Ideally, we shouldn't even need the above