diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/async_substrate_interface.py b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/async_substrate_interface.py
index 464635958..c953d02f5 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/async_substrate_interface.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/async_substrate_interface.py
@@ -679,7 +679,10 @@ async def _exit_with_timer(self):
 
     async def shutdown(self):
         async with self._lock:
-            self._receiving_task.cancel()
+            try:
+                self._receiving_task.cancel()
+            except AttributeError:
+                pass
             try:
                 await self._receiving_task
             except asyncio.CancelledError: