diff --git a/java/debugger/impl/src/com/intellij/debugger/engine/DebugProcessImpl.java b/java/debugger/impl/src/com/intellij/debugger/engine/DebugProcessImpl.java
index ef9963dc2ee3..de352a247cce 100644
--- a/java/debugger/impl/src/com/intellij/debugger/engine/DebugProcessImpl.java
+++ b/java/debugger/impl/src/com/intellij/debugger/engine/DebugProcessImpl.java
@@ -365,7 +365,11 @@ public abstract class DebugProcessImpl extends UserDataHolderBase implements Deb
         //noinspection HardCodedStringLiteral
         stepRequest.putProperty("hint", hint);
       }
-      stepRequest.enable();
+      try {
+        stepRequest.enable();
+      } catch (IllegalThreadStateException e) { // thread is already dead
+        requestManager.deleteEventRequest(stepRequest);
+      }
     }
     catch (ObjectCollectedException ignored) {