diff --git a/proxywatchd.py b/proxywatchd.py
index 39f1ffc..a24e734 100644
--- a/proxywatchd.py
+++ b/proxywatchd.py
@@ -47,6 +47,20 @@ class WorkerJob():
 				sock.connect()
 				sock.send('%s\n' % random.choice(['NICK', 'USER', 'JOIN', 'MODE', 'PART', 'INVITE', 'KNOCK', 'WHOIS', 'WHO', 'NOTICE', 'PRIVMSG', 'PING', 'QUIT']))
 				return sock, proto, duration, torhost, srv, 0
+			except rocksock.RocksockException as e:
+				et = e.get_errortype()
+				err = e.get_error()
+				fp = e.get_failedproxy()
+
+				sock.disconnect()
+
+				if et == rocksock.RS_ET_OWN:
+					if fp == 1 and \
+					err == rocksock.RS_E_REMOTE_DISCONNECTED or \
+					err == rocksock.RS_E_HIT_TIMEOUT:
+						# proxy is not online, so don't waste time trying all possible protocols
+						break
+
 			except KeyboardInterrupt as e:
 				raise(e)
 			except: sock.disconnect()