diff --git a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/NettyMessagingService.java b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/NettyMessagingService.java
index ae646b6..b611fad 100644
--- a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/NettyMessagingService.java
+++ b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/NettyMessagingService.java
@@ -72,7 +72,9 @@
             .removalListener(new RemovalListener<Long, SettableFuture<byte[]>>() {
                 @Override
                 public void onRemoval(RemovalNotification<Long, SettableFuture<byte[]>> entry) {
-                    entry.getValue().setException(new TimeoutException("Timedout waiting for reply"));
+                    if (entry.wasEvicted()) {
+                        entry.getValue().setException(new TimeoutException("Timedout waiting for reply"));
+                    }
                 }
             })
             .build();