diff --git a/kasa/protocol.py b/kasa/protocol.py
index 14de9c6c..e2f94626 100755
--- a/kasa/protocol.py
+++ b/kasa/protocol.py
@@ -156,7 +156,11 @@ class TPLinkSmartHomeProtocol:
 
     def __del__(self) -> None:
         if self.writer and self.loop and self.loop.is_running():
-            self.writer.close()
+            # Since __del__ will be called when python does
+            # garbage collection is can happen in the event loop thread
+            # or in another thread so we need to make sure the call to
+            # close is called safely with call_soon_threadsafe
+            self.loop.call_soon_threadsafe(self.writer.close)
         self._reset()
 
     @staticmethod