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 c57a9f6e5..cf1e1c973 100644
--- a/modules/scala/integration/src/main/scala/almond/integration/KernelLauncher.scala
+++ b/modules/scala/integration/src/main/scala/almond/integration/KernelLauncher.scala
@@ -586,7 +586,8 @@ class KernelLauncher(
       res
     }
     finally {
-      runner0.close()
+      if (runner0 != null)
+        runner0.close()
       output.close(success = success, printOutputOnError = printOutputOnError)
     }
   }