diff --git a/libraries/ESP8266WiFi/src/WiFiClient.cpp b/libraries/ESP8266WiFi/src/WiFiClient.cpp
index fb10209ec0..d31b46e9c0 100644
--- a/libraries/ESP8266WiFi/src/WiFiClient.cpp
+++ b/libraries/ESP8266WiFi/src/WiFiClient.cpp
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ uint8_t WiFiClient::status()
 
 WiFiClient::operator bool()
 {
-    return available() || connected();
+    return (_client != nullptr);
 }
 
 IPAddress WiFiClient::remoteIP()