diff --git a/lib/transports/polling.js b/lib/transports/polling.js
index fbe4ad40..8aff87c3 100644
--- a/lib/transports/polling.js
+++ b/lib/transports/polling.js
@@ -165,13 +165,13 @@ Polling.prototype.doClose = function(){
     self.write([{ type: 'close' }]);
   }
 
-  if (this.open) {
+  if ('open' == this.readyState) {
     debug('transport open - closing');
     close();
   } else {
     // in case we're trying to close while
     // handshaking is in progress (GH-164)
-    debug('transport not open - defering close');
+    debug('transport not open - deferring close');
     this.once('open', close);
   }
 };