diff --git a/providers/netconf/flow/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/netconf/flow/impl/NetconfOperation.java b/providers/netconf/flow/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/netconf/flow/impl/NetconfOperation.java
index d03e75a..4e5a275 100644
--- a/providers/netconf/flow/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/netconf/flow/impl/NetconfOperation.java
+++ b/providers/netconf/flow/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/netconf/flow/impl/NetconfOperation.java
@@ -72,7 +72,9 @@
             log.error("Unable to send Hello Message to the device: ", e);
         } finally {
             log.debug("Closing the session after successful execution");
-            ssh.close();
+            if (ssh != null) {
+                ssh.close();
+            }
         }
     }