diff --git a/src/Simplex/Chat.hs b/src/Simplex/Chat.hs
index 2a568d628..5b56c0ac8 100644
--- a/src/Simplex/Chat.hs
+++ b/src/Simplex/Chat.hs
@@ -897,7 +897,8 @@ processChatCommand = \case
       filesInfo <- withStore' $ \db -> getContactFileInfo db user ct
       withChatLock "deleteChat direct" . procCmd $ do
         deleteFilesAndConns user filesInfo
-        when (contactActive ct && notify) . void $ sendDirectContactMessage ct XDirectDel
+        when (isReady ct && contactActive ct && notify) $
+          void (sendDirectContactMessage ct XDirectDel) `catchChatError` const (pure ())
         contactConnIds <- map aConnId <$> withStore (\db -> getContactConnections db userId ct)
         deleteAgentConnectionsAsync user contactConnIds
         -- functions below are called in separate transactions to prevent crashes on android