diff --git a/bundles/org.eclipse.remote.jsch.core/src/org/eclipse/remote/internal/jsch/core/JSchConnection.java b/bundles/org.eclipse.remote.jsch.core/src/org/eclipse/remote/internal/jsch/core/JSchConnection.java
index 758b99319e1..40f2954bf7c 100644
--- a/bundles/org.eclipse.remote.jsch.core/src/org/eclipse/remote/internal/jsch/core/JSchConnection.java
+++ b/bundles/org.eclipse.remote.jsch.core/src/org/eclipse/remote/internal/jsch/core/JSchConnection.java
@@ -612,6 +612,9 @@ public class JSchConnection implements IRemoteConnectionControlService, IRemoteC
 	 */
 	@Override
 	public IRemoteProcessBuilder getProcessBuilder(List<String> command) {
+		if (!isOpen()) {
+			return null;
+		}
 		return new JSchProcessBuilder(getRemoteConnection(), command);
 	}
 
@@ -622,6 +625,9 @@ public class JSchConnection implements IRemoteConnectionControlService, IRemoteC
 	 */
 	@Override
 	public IRemoteProcessBuilder getProcessBuilder(String... command) {
+		if (!isOpen()) {
+			return null;
+		}
 		return new JSchProcessBuilder(getRemoteConnection(), command);
 	}