diff --git a/src/wormhole_transit_relay/transit_server.py b/src/wormhole_transit_relay/transit_server.py
index be543d1..259c61c 100644
--- a/src/wormhole_transit_relay/transit_server.py
+++ b/src/wormhole_transit_relay/transit_server.py
@@ -288,7 +288,11 @@ class WebSocketTransitConnection(WebSocketServerProtocol):
             if token is None:
                 self._state.bad_token()
         else:
-            self._state.got_bytes(payload)
+            try:
+                self._state.got_bytes(payload)
+            except Exception as e:
+                log.err("Failed to send to partner: {}".format(e))
+                self.sendClose(3000, "send to partner failed")
 
     def disconnect_redundant(self):
         # this is called if a buddy connected and we were found unnecessary.