diff --git a/fail2ban/server/server.py b/fail2ban/server/server.py
index 7edf19e9..60eea1f3 100644
--- a/fail2ban/server/server.py
+++ b/fail2ban/server/server.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def _thread_name():
 
 class Server:
 	
-	def __init__(self, daemon = False):
+	def __init__(self, daemon=False):
 		self.__loggingLock = Lock()
 		self.__lock = RLock()
 		self.__jails = Jails()
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ class Server:
 		return self.__jails[name].actions.getBanTime()
 	
 	def isStarted(self):
-		self.__asyncServer.isActive()
+		return self.__asyncServer is not None and self.__asyncServer.isActive()
 
 	def isAlive(self, jailnum=None):
 		if jailnum is not None and len(self.__jails) != jailnum:
diff --git a/fail2ban/tests/servertestcase.py b/fail2ban/tests/servertestcase.py
index 9fc62acd..d733da0a 100644
--- a/fail2ban/tests/servertestcase.py
+++ b/fail2ban/tests/servertestcase.py
@@ -158,6 +158,9 @@ class Transmitter(TransmitterBase):
 	def setUp(self):
 		self.server = TestServer()
 		super(Transmitter, self).setUp()
+		# so far isStarted only tested but not used otherwise
+		# and here we don't really .start server
+		self.assertFalse(self.server.isStarted())
 
 	def testStopServer(self):
 		self.assertEqual(self.transm.proceed(["stop"]), (0, None))
@@ -1004,6 +1007,7 @@ class LoggingTests(LogCaptureTestCase):
 		server = TestServer()
 		try:
 			server.start(sock_name, pidfile_name, force=False)
+			self.assertFalse(server.isStarted())
 			self.assertLogged("Server already running")
 		finally:
 			server.quit()