diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/network/31-tcpin.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/network/31-tcpin.js
index 15401e374..500bbe2c2 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/network/31-tcpin.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/network/31-tcpin.js
@@ -582,6 +582,7 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
                 const cc = Object.keys(clients).length;
                 node.status({fill:"green",shape:cc===0?"ring":"dot",text:RED._("tcpin.status.connections",{count:cc})});
                 if ((host === undefined || port === undefined) && !msg.hasOwnProperty("payload")) { return; }
+                if (!msg.hasOwnProperty("payload")) { return; }
             }
 
             // Store client information independently