diff --git a/lib/websocket/driver/client.js b/lib/websocket/driver/client.js
index 27aed64..f57c862 100644
--- a/lib/websocket/driver/client.js
+++ b/lib/websocket/driver/client.js
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ var instance = {
 
   _failHandshake: function(message) {
     message = 'Error during WebSocket handshake: ' + message;
-    this.emit('error', new Error(message));
     this.readyState = 3;
+    this.emit('error', new Error(message));
     this.emit('close', new Base.CloseEvent(this.ERRORS.protocol_error, message));
   },