diff --git a/libnetwork/iptables/firewalld.go b/libnetwork/iptables/firewalld.go
index 246ce4d7a1..970931ce91 100644
--- a/libnetwork/iptables/firewalld.go
+++ b/libnetwork/iptables/firewalld.go
@@ -44,11 +44,15 @@ func FirewalldInit() error {
 	if connection, err = newConnection(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to connect to D-Bus system bus: %v", err)
 	}
+	firewalldRunning = checkRunning()
+	if !firewalldRunning {
+		connection.sysconn.Close()
+		connection = nil
+	}
 	if connection != nil {
 		go signalHandler()
 	}
 
-	firewalldRunning = checkRunning()
 	return nil
 }