diff --git a/java/debugger/impl/src/com/intellij/debugger/jdi/ThreadReferenceProxyImpl.java b/java/debugger/impl/src/com/intellij/debugger/jdi/ThreadReferenceProxyImpl.java
index bf52d23dd779..a0731514fbbb 100644
--- a/java/debugger/impl/src/com/intellij/debugger/jdi/ThreadReferenceProxyImpl.java
+++ b/java/debugger/impl/src/com/intellij/debugger/jdi/ThreadReferenceProxyImpl.java
@@ -312,8 +312,10 @@ public final class ThreadReferenceProxyImpl extends ObjectReferenceProxyImpl imp
     catch (IllegalThreadStateException e) {
       // must be zombie thread
       LOG.info(e);
-      return false;
+    } catch (ObjectCollectedException ignored) {
     }
+
+    return false;
   }
 
   public boolean isAtBreakpoint() {