diff --git a/src/apps/debugger/debugger_interface/DebuggerInterface.cpp b/src/apps/debugger/debugger_interface/DebuggerInterface.cpp
index 49a1a02abf..d641f2435b 100644
--- a/src/apps/debugger/debugger_interface/DebuggerInterface.cpp
+++ b/src/apps/debugger/debugger_interface/DebuggerInterface.cpp
@@ -316,6 +316,9 @@ DebuggerInterface::Close(bool killTeam)
 
 	if (fDebuggerPort >= 0)
 		delete_port(fDebuggerPort);
+
+	fNubPort = -1;
+	fDebuggerPort = -1;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/apps/debugger/debugger_interface/DebuggerInterface.h b/src/apps/debugger/debugger_interface/DebuggerInterface.h
index b4b32841ff..def878efff 100644
--- a/src/apps/debugger/debugger_interface/DebuggerInterface.h
+++ b/src/apps/debugger/debugger_interface/DebuggerInterface.h
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ public:
 			status_t			Init();
 			void				Close(bool killTeam);
 
+			bool				Connected() const
+									{ return fNubPort >= 0; }
+
 			Architecture*		GetArchitecture() const
 									{ return fArchitecture; }