diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/storage/23-watch.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/storage/23-watch.js
index 2ee5770aa..69fa77e87 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/storage/23-watch.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/storage/23-watch.js
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
         if (n.filesType != 'msg') configureWatcher(node, n);
 
         node.close = function() {
-            node.watcher.close();
+            if (node.watcher) node.watcher.close();
         }
     }
     RED.nodes.registerType("watch", WatchNode);