diff --git a/core/src/main/java/com/google/bitcoin/net/BlockingClient.java b/core/src/main/java/com/google/bitcoin/net/BlockingClient.java
index aad4b831..46f5a212 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/com/google/bitcoin/net/BlockingClient.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/com/google/bitcoin/net/BlockingClient.java
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ public class BlockingClient implements MessageWriteTarget {
         // sure it doesnt get too large or have to call read too often.
         dbuf = ByteBuffer.allocateDirect(Math.min(Math.max(parser.getMaxMessageSize(), BUFFER_SIZE_LOWER_BOUND), BUFFER_SIZE_UPPER_BOUND));
         parser.setWriteTarget(this);
+        socket = socketFactory.createSocket();
         Thread t = new Thread() {
             @Override
             public void run() {
@@ -73,8 +74,7 @@ public class BlockingClient implements MessageWriteTarget {
                     clientSet.add(BlockingClient.this);
                 try {
                     InetSocketAddress iServerAddress = (InetSocketAddress)serverAddress;
-                    socket = socketFactory.createSocket(iServerAddress.getAddress(), iServerAddress.getPort());
-                    //socket.connect(serverAddress, connectTimeoutMillis);
+                    socket.connect(serverAddress, connectTimeoutMillis);
                     parser.connectionOpened();
                     InputStream stream = socket.getInputStream();
                     byte[] readBuff = new byte[dbuf.capacity()];