diff --git a/xwebrtc/dialer.go b/xwebrtc/dialer.go
index 24bf9b98..17ace216 100644
--- a/xwebrtc/dialer.go
+++ b/xwebrtc/dialer.go
@@ -116,10 +116,11 @@ func (wc *WorkspaceDialer) peerConnection(ctx context.Context, workspaceID strin
 	}
 	go func() {
 		err = waitForDataChannelOpen(ctx, control)
+		_ = control.Close()
 		if err != nil {
-			wc.log.Fatal(ctx, "waiting for data channel open", slog.Error(err))
+			_ = conn.Close(websocket.StatusAbnormalClosure, "data channel timed out")
+			return
 		}
-		_ = control.Close()
 		_ = conn.Close(websocket.StatusNormalClosure, "rtc connected")
 	}()