diff --git a/websocket-sharp/Server/WebSocketServer.cs b/websocket-sharp/Server/WebSocketServer.cs
index 598ccbbe..412be1d0 100644
--- a/websocket-sharp/Server/WebSocketServer.cs
+++ b/websocket-sharp/Server/WebSocketServer.cs
@@ -667,6 +667,23 @@ namespace WebSocketSharp.Server
       _state = ServerState.Stop;
     }
 
+    private bool canSet (out string message)
+    {
+      message = null;
+
+      if (_state == ServerState.Start) {
+        message = "The server has already started.";
+        return false;
+      }
+
+      if (_state == ServerState.ShuttingDown) {
+        message = "The server is shutting down.";
+        return false;
+      }
+
+      return true;
+    }
+
     private bool checkHostNameForRequest (string name)
     {
       return !_dnsStyle