diff --git a/lib/winrm/shells/power_shell.rb b/lib/winrm/shells/power_shell.rb
index 696ede9f..4d6fb196 100644
--- a/lib/winrm/shells/power_shell.rb
+++ b/lib/winrm/shells/power_shell.rb
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ class Powershell < Base
 
       class << self
         def close_shell(connection_opts, transport, shell_id)
+          return false unless Thread.current.alive?
+
+          Thread.current.wakeup if Thread.current.status =~ /sleep/
           msg = WinRM::WSMV::CloseShell.new(
             connection_opts,
             shell_id: shell_id,