diff --git a/tnc/data_handler.py b/tnc/data_handler.py
index 63768811..d4a62709 100644
--- a/tnc/data_handler.py
+++ b/tnc/data_handler.py
@@ -1369,6 +1369,11 @@ class DATA:
                     if static.ARQ_SESSION:
                         return True
 
+                    # Stop waiting and interrupt if data channel is getting closed while opening
+                    if static.ARQ_SESSION_STATE == "disconnecting":
+                        self.close_session()
+                        return False
+
             # Session connect timeout, send close_session frame to
             # attempt to clean up the far-side, if it received the
             # open_session frame and can still hear us.
@@ -1444,6 +1449,8 @@ class DATA:
         self.send_disconnect_frame()
         self.arq_cleanup()
 
+        static.ARQ_SESSION_STATE = "disconnected"
+
     def received_session_close(self, data_in: bytes):
         """
         Closes the session when a close session frame is received and
diff --git a/tnc/sock.py b/tnc/sock.py
index aa5adb4c..6699ce94 100644
--- a/tnc/sock.py
+++ b/tnc/sock.py
@@ -332,9 +332,11 @@ def process_tnc_commands(data):
 
         # DISCONNECT ----------------------------------------------------------
         if received_json["type"] == "arq" and received_json["command"] == "disconnect":
-            # send ping frame and wait for ACK
             try:
                 DATA_QUEUE_TRANSMIT.put(["DISCONNECT"])
+
+                # set early disconnecting state so we can interrupt connection attemtps
+                static.ARQ_SESSION_STATE = "disconnecting"
                 command_response("disconnect", True)
             except Exception as err:
                 command_response("disconnect", False)