diff --git a/jaeger-core/src/main/java/io/jaegertracing/internal/JaegerTracer.java b/jaeger-core/src/main/java/io/jaegertracing/internal/JaegerTracer.java
index fcc2a2704..2892c4297 100644
--- a/jaeger-core/src/main/java/io/jaegertracing/internal/JaegerTracer.java
+++ b/jaeger-core/src/main/java/io/jaegertracing/internal/JaegerTracer.java
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ protected JaegerTracer(JaegerTracer.Builder builder) {
       shutdownHook = new Thread() {
         @Override
         public void run() {
+          shutdownHook = null;
           JaegerTracer.this.close();
         }
       };