diff --git a/internal/websocket/staleClients.go b/internal/websocket/staleClients.go
index 31e56b5..b636c49 100644
--- a/internal/websocket/staleClients.go
+++ b/internal/websocket/staleClients.go
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ func RemoveStaleClients() {
 			client.Conn.WriteMessage(websocket.PingMessage, nil)
 
 			if isStale(client) {
+				helper.Logger.Info("Removing stale client", "host", client.RealIP, "lastPong", client.LastPong.Format(time.RFC3339))
 				client.Conn.Close()
 				delete(Clients, client.Conn.LocalAddr())
-				helper.Logger.Info("Removed stale client", "host", client.RealIP, "lastPong", client.LastPong.Format(time.RFC3339))
 			}
 		}
 		mu.Unlock()