diff --git a/src/ca/oldSubscription.cpp b/src/ca/oldSubscription.cpp
index 771b5e23f..e5e26d1a9 100644
--- a/src/ca/oldSubscription.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/oldSubscription.cpp
@@ -39,14 +39,18 @@ void oldSubscription::exception (
     int status, const char * /* pContext */, 
     unsigned type, arrayElementCount count )
 {
-    struct event_handler_args args;
-
-    args.usr = this->pPrivate;
-    args.chid = &this->chan;
-    args.type = type;
-    args.count = count;
-    args.status = status;
-    args.dbr = 0;
-    ( *this->pFunc ) ( args );
+    if ( status == ECA_CHANDESTROY ) {
+        delete this;
+    }
+    else if ( status != ECA_DISCONN ) {
+        struct event_handler_args args;
+        args.usr = this->pPrivate;
+        args.chid = &this->chan;
+        args.type = type;
+        args.count = count;
+        args.status = status;
+        args.dbr = 0;
+        ( *this->pFunc ) ( args );
+    }
 }