diff --git a/server/core/backend.cc b/server/core/backend.cc
index 917a978de..b92409e39 100644
--- a/server/core/backend.cc
+++ b/server/core/backend.cc
@@ -27,9 +27,9 @@ Backend::Backend(SERVER_REF *ref):
 
 Backend::~Backend()
 {
-    ss_dassert(m_closed);
+    ss_dassert(m_closed || !in_use());
 
-    if (!m_closed)
+    if (in_use())
     {
         close();
     }