diff --git a/dcrdtest/node.go b/dcrdtest/node.go
index d0a9d20..8056dc6 100644
--- a/dcrdtest/node.go
+++ b/dcrdtest/node.go
@@ -368,9 +368,11 @@ func (n *node) stop() error {
 	log.Tracef("stop %p", n.cmd)
 	defer log.Tracef("stop done")
 
-	if _, ok := <-n.cmdStarted; !ok {
+	select {
+	case <-n.cmdStarted:
 		// has not been started (yet, or ever)
 		return nil
+	default:
 	}
 
 	select {