diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java
index 540de77..79612c9 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java
@@ -85,7 +85,6 @@
         try {
             netty.activate();
         } catch (Exception e) {
-            // TODO Auto-generated catch block
             log.error("NettyMessagingService#activate", e);
         }
         messagingService = netty;
@@ -95,6 +94,12 @@
     @Deactivate
     public void deactivate() {
         // TODO: cleanup messageingService if needed.
+        // FIXME: workaround until it becomes a service.
+        try {
+            ((NettyMessagingService) messagingService).deactivate();
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+            log.error("NettyMessagingService#deactivate", e);
+        }
         log.info("Stopped");
     }