diff --git a/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/connection/channel/direct/SessionChannel.java b/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/connection/channel/direct/SessionChannel.java
index 873958204..d15c5ea77 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/connection/channel/direct/SessionChannel.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/connection/channel/direct/SessionChannel.java
@@ -225,7 +225,9 @@ protected void gotExtendedData(SSHPacket buf)
 
     @Override
     public void notifyError(SSHException error) {
-        err.notifyError(error);
+        if (err != null) {
+            err.notifyError(error);
+        }
         super.notifyError(error);
     }