diff --git a/modules/scala/integration/src/main/scala/almond/integration/KernelLauncher.scala b/modules/scala/integration/src/main/scala/almond/integration/KernelLauncher.scala
index dd5d567ba..c757d4395 100644
--- a/modules/scala/integration/src/main/scala/almond/integration/KernelLauncher.scala
+++ b/modules/scala/integration/src/main/scala/almond/integration/KernelLauncher.scala
@@ -544,7 +544,8 @@ class KernelLauncher(
       f(runner0)
     }
     finally
-      runner0.close()
+      if (runner0 != null)
+        runner0.close()
   }
 
 }