diff --git a/src/gossip/connectpeer.py b/src/gossip/connectpeer.py
index 22aae214..2432a891 100644
--- a/src/gossip/connectpeer.py
+++ b/src/gossip/connectpeer.py
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
+from gossip.commands import GossipCommands, command_to_byte
 import logger
 
 
 def connect_peer(peer_set, peer):
+    if peer in peer_set:
+        return
     try:
-        peer.get_socket()
+        s = peer.get_socket()
     except Exception:
         logger.warn(f"Could not connect to {peer.transport_address}")
     else:
+        s.sendall(command_to_byte(GossipCommands.CLOSE))
+        s.close()
         peer_set.add(peer)
         logger.info(f"connected to {peer.transport_address}")