diff --git a/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/net/SocketClient.java b/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/net/SocketClient.java
index 829630b1f..5ff2cf3c3 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/net/SocketClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/net/SocketClient.java
@@ -319,8 +319,9 @@ protected void createCommandSupport() {
      * Disconnects the socket connection. You should call this method after you've finished using the class instance and also before you call {@link #connect
      * connect() } again. _isConnected_ is set to false, _socket_ is set to null, _input_ is set to null, and _output_ is set to null.
      *
-     * @throws IOException If there is an error closing the socket.
+     * @throws IOException not thrown, subclasses may throw.
      */
+    @SuppressWarnings("unused") // subclasses may throw IOException
     public void disconnect() throws IOException {
         closeQuietly(_socket_);
         closeQuietly(_input_);