diff --git a/ipykernel/iostream.py b/ipykernel/iostream.py
index 782ac5ad9..1cc4c8f16 100644
--- a/ipykernel/iostream.py
+++ b/ipykernel/iostream.py
@@ -226,6 +226,9 @@ def send_multipart(self, *args, **kwargs):
 
     def _really_send(self, msg, *args, **kwargs):
         """The callback that actually sends messages"""
+        if self.closed:
+            return
+
         mp_mode = self._check_mp_mode()
 
         if mp_mode != CHILD: