diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/presents/client/Communicator.java b/src/java/com/threerings/presents/client/Communicator.java
index db84a55e6..b828f9d43 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/presents/client/Communicator.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/presents/client/Communicator.java
@@ -466,11 +466,11 @@ public class Communicator
                 Log.info("Connecting [host=" + host + ", port=" + port + "].");
                 InetSocketAddress addr = new InetSocketAddress(host, port);
                 try {
-                    _channel = SocketChannel.open(addr);
                     synchronized (Communicator.this) {
                         clearPPI(true);
                         _prefPortInterval =
                             new PrefPortInterval(pportKey, port, nextPort);
+                        _channel = SocketChannel.open(addr);
                         _prefPortInterval.schedule(PREF_PORT_DELAY);
                     }
                     break;