diff --git a/distributed/deploy/spec.py b/distributed/deploy/spec.py
index 57602b704e..39558f1c7e 100644
--- a/distributed/deploy/spec.py
+++ b/distributed/deploy/spec.py
@@ -431,7 +431,8 @@ async def _close(self):
             else:
                 logger.warning("Cluster closed without starting up")
 
-            await self.scheduler.close()
+            if self.scheduler:
+                await self.scheduler.close()
             for w in self._created:
                 assert w.status in {
                     Status.closing,