diff --git a/webclient/webclient/src/main/java/io/helidon/webclient/NettyClientHandler.java b/webclient/webclient/src/main/java/io/helidon/webclient/NettyClientHandler.java
index 44f538756fd..8709249a420 100644
--- a/webclient/webclient/src/main/java/io/helidon/webclient/NettyClientHandler.java
+++ b/webclient/webclient/src/main/java/io/helidon/webclient/NettyClientHandler.java
@@ -188,6 +188,10 @@ protected void channelRead0(ChannelHandlerContext ctx, HttpObject msg) throws IO
                                     });
                         }
                         responseFuture.complete(clientResponse);
+                    }).exceptionally(t -> {
+                        responseFuture.completeExceptionally(t);
+                        responseCloser.close();
+                        return null;
                     });
                 }
             });