diff --git a/irc/channel.go b/irc/channel.go
index 5c771fe4..7d3bd333 100644
--- a/irc/channel.go
+++ b/irc/channel.go
@@ -46,6 +46,23 @@ func NewChannel(s *Server, name string) *Channel {
 	return channel
 }
 
+func (channel *Channel) Destroy() error {
+	if channel.replies == nil {
+		return ErrAlreadyDestroyed
+	}
+	close(channel.replies)
+	channel.replies = nil
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (channel *Channel) Reply(reply Reply) error {
+	if channel.replies == nil {
+		return ErrAlreadyDestroyed
+	}
+	channel.replies <- reply
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (channel *Channel) receiveCommands(commands <-chan ChannelCommand) {
 	for command := range commands {
 		if DEBUG_CHANNEL {
@@ -63,7 +80,7 @@ func (channel *Channel) receiveReplies(replies <-chan Reply) {
 		for client := range channel.members {
 			var dest Identifier = client
 			if reply.Source() != dest {
-				client.replies <- reply
+				client.Reply(reply)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -75,15 +92,15 @@ func (channel *Channel) IsEmpty() bool {
 
 func (channel *Channel) GetTopic(replier Replier) {
 	if channel.topic == "" {
-		replier.Replies() <- RplNoTopic(channel)
+		replier.Reply(RplNoTopic(channel))
 		return
 	}
 
-	replier.Replies() <- RplTopic(channel)
+	replier.Reply(RplTopic(channel))
 }
 
 func (channel *Channel) GetUsers(replier Replier) {
-	replier.Replies() <- NewNamesReply(channel)
+	replier.Reply(NewNamesReply(channel))
 }
 
 func (channel *Channel) Nicks() []string {
@@ -96,10 +113,6 @@ func (channel *Channel) Nicks() []string {
 	return nicks
 }
 
-func (channel *Channel) Replies() chan<- Reply {
-	return channel.replies
-}
-
 func (channel *Channel) Id() string {
 	return channel.name
 }
@@ -124,8 +137,8 @@ func (channel *Channel) Join(client *Client) {
 	channel.members.Add(client)
 	client.channels.Add(channel)
 	reply := RplJoin(client, channel)
-	client.replies <- reply
-	channel.replies <- reply
+	client.Reply(reply)
+	channel.Reply(reply)
 	channel.GetTopic(client)
 	channel.GetUsers(client)
 }
@@ -137,7 +150,7 @@ func (channel *Channel) Join(client *Client) {
 func (m *JoinCommand) HandleChannel(channel *Channel) {
 	client := m.Client()
 	if channel.key != m.channels[channel.name] {
-		client.replies <- ErrBadChannelKey(channel)
+		client.Reply(ErrBadChannelKey(channel))
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -148,13 +161,13 @@ func (m *PartCommand) HandleChannel(channel *Channel) {
 	client := m.Client()
 
 	if !channel.members.Has(client) {
-		client.replies <- ErrNotOnChannel(channel)
+		client.Reply(ErrNotOnChannel(channel))
 		return
 	}
 
 	reply := RplPart(client, channel, m.Message())
-	client.replies <- reply
-	channel.replies <- reply
+	client.Reply(reply)
+	channel.Reply(reply)
 
 	channel.members.Remove(client)
 	client.channels.Remove(channel)
@@ -169,7 +182,7 @@ func (m *TopicCommand) HandleChannel(channel *Channel) {
 	client := m.Client()
 
 	if !channel.members.Has(client) {
-		client.replies <- ErrNotOnChannel(channel)
+		client.Reply(ErrNotOnChannel(channel))
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -186,10 +199,10 @@ func (m *TopicCommand) HandleChannel(channel *Channel) {
 func (m *PrivMsgCommand) HandleChannel(channel *Channel) {
 	client := m.Client()
 	if channel.noOutside && !channel.members.Has(client) {
-		client.replies <- ErrCannotSendToChan(channel)
+		client.Reply(ErrCannotSendToChan(channel))
 		return
 	}
-	channel.replies <- RplPrivMsg(client, channel, m.message)
+	channel.Reply(RplPrivMsg(client, channel, m.message))
 }
 
 func (msg *ChannelModeCommand) HandleChannel(channel *Channel) {
@@ -200,9 +213,9 @@ func (msg *ChannelModeCommand) HandleChannel(channel *Channel) {
 		case BanMask:
 			// TODO add/remove
 			for _, banMask := range channel.banList {
-				client.replies <- RplBanList(channel, banMask)
+				client.Reply(RplBanList(channel, banMask))
 			}
-			client.replies <- RplEndOfBanList(channel)
+			client.Reply(RplEndOfBanList(channel))
 		case NoOutside:
 			// TODO perms
 			switch modeOp.op {
@@ -214,5 +227,5 @@ func (msg *ChannelModeCommand) HandleChannel(channel *Channel) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	client.replies <- RplChannelModeIs(channel)
+	client.Reply(RplChannelModeIs(channel))
 }
diff --git a/irc/client.go b/irc/client.go
index 33dfbac1..269474c8 100644
--- a/irc/client.go
+++ b/irc/client.go
@@ -29,12 +29,11 @@ func NewClient(server *Server, conn net.Conn) *Client {
 	replies := make(chan Reply)
 
 	client := &Client{
-		channels:   make(ChannelSet),
-		conn:       conn,
-		hostname:   LookupHostname(conn.RemoteAddr()),
-		replies:    replies,
-		server:     server,
-		serverPass: server.password == "",
+		channels: make(ChannelSet),
+		conn:     conn,
+		hostname: LookupHostname(conn.RemoteAddr()),
+		replies:  replies,
+		server:   server,
 	}
 
 	go client.readConn(read)
@@ -48,9 +47,9 @@ func (c *Client) readConn(recv <-chan string) {
 		m, err := ParseCommand(str)
 		if err != nil {
 			if err == NotEnoughArgsError {
-				c.replies <- ErrNeedMoreParams(c.server, str)
+				c.Reply(ErrNeedMoreParams(c.server, str))
 			} else {
-				c.replies <- ErrUnknownCommand(c.server, str)
+				c.Reply(ErrUnknownCommand(c.server, str))
 			}
 			continue
 		}
@@ -69,14 +68,22 @@ func (c *Client) writeConn(write chan<- string, replies <-chan Reply) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (client *Client) Destroy() *Client {
-	client.conn.Close()
+func (client *Client) Destroy() error {
+	if client.replies == nil {
+		return ErrAlreadyDestroyed
+	}
 	close(client.replies)
-	return client
+	client.replies = nil
+	client.conn.Close()
+	return nil
 }
 
-func (c *Client) Replies() chan<- Reply {
-	return c.replies
+func (client *Client) Reply(reply Reply) error {
+	if client.replies == nil {
+		return ErrAlreadyDestroyed
+	}
+	client.replies <- reply
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (client *Client) HasNick() bool {
diff --git a/irc/commands.go b/irc/commands.go
index 9884f717..c5785cf8 100644
--- a/irc/commands.go
+++ b/irc/commands.go
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func (command *BaseCommand) Source() Identifier {
 }
 
 func (command *BaseCommand) Reply(reply Reply) {
-	command.client.Replies() <- reply
+	command.client.Reply(reply)
 }
 
 func ParseCommand(line string) (editableCommand, error) {
diff --git a/irc/constants.go b/irc/constants.go
index 6a3aeb4d..cb8dfc89 100644
--- a/irc/constants.go
+++ b/irc/constants.go
@@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
 package irc
 
+import (
+	"errors"
+)
+
 var (
 	DEBUG_NET     = false
 	DEBUG_CLIENT  = false
 	DEBUG_CHANNEL = false
 	DEBUG_SERVER  = false
+
+	ErrAlreadyDestroyed = errors.New("already destroyed")
 )
 
 const (
diff --git a/irc/reply.go b/irc/reply.go
index cc05b08b..45b995b1 100644
--- a/irc/reply.go
+++ b/irc/reply.go
@@ -18,20 +18,6 @@ func joinedLen(names []string) int {
 	return l
 }
 
-type Identifier interface {
-	Id() string
-	Nick() string
-}
-
-type Replier interface {
-	Replies() chan<- Reply
-}
-
-type Reply interface {
-	Format(*Client, chan<- string)
-	Source() Identifier
-}
-
 type BaseReply struct {
 	source  Identifier
 	message string
diff --git a/irc/server.go b/irc/server.go
index 009400ac..03e72f69 100644
--- a/irc/server.go
+++ b/irc/server.go
@@ -22,11 +22,12 @@ type Server struct {
 func NewServer(config *Config) *Server {
 	commands := make(chan Command)
 	server := &Server{
+		channels: make(ChannelNameMap),
+		clients:  make(ClientNameMap),
+		commands: commands,
 		ctime:    time.Now(),
 		name:     config.Name,
-		commands: commands,
-		clients:  make(ClientNameMap),
-		channels: make(ChannelNameMap),
+		password: config.Password,
 	}
 	go server.receiveCommands(commands)
 	go server.listen(config.Listen)
@@ -38,7 +39,18 @@ func (server *Server) receiveCommands(commands <-chan Command) {
 		if DEBUG_SERVER {
 			log.Printf("%s → %s : %s", command.Client(), server, command)
 		}
-		command.Client().atime = time.Now()
+		client := command.Client()
+		client.atime = time.Now()
+		if !client.serverPass {
+			if server.password == "" {
+				client.serverPass = true
+
+			} else if _, ok := command.(*PassCommand); !ok {
+				client.Reply(ErrPasswdMismatch(server))
+				client.Destroy()
+				return
+			}
+		}
 		command.HandleServer(server)
 	}
 }
@@ -97,7 +109,7 @@ func (s *Server) GenerateGuestNick() string {
 // server functionality
 
 func (s *Server) tryRegister(c *Client) {
-	if !c.registered && c.HasNick() && c.HasUsername() && c.serverPass {
+	if !c.registered && c.HasNick() && c.HasUsername() {
 		c.registered = true
 		replies := []Reply{
 			RplWelcome(s, c),
@@ -106,7 +118,7 @@ func (s *Server) tryRegister(c *Client) {
 			RplMyInfo(s),
 		}
 		for _, reply := range replies {
-			c.Replies() <- reply
+			c.Reply(reply)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -128,11 +140,11 @@ func (s *Server) Nick() string {
 //
 
 func (m *UnknownCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
-	m.Client().replies <- ErrUnknownCommand(s, m.command)
+	m.Client().Reply(ErrUnknownCommand(s, m.command))
 }
 
 func (m *PingCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
-	m.Client().replies <- RplPong(s, m.Client())
+	m.Client().Reply(RplPong(s, m.Client()))
 }
 
 func (m *PongCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
@@ -141,7 +153,7 @@ func (m *PongCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 
 func (m *PassCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 	if s.password != m.password {
-		m.Client().replies <- ErrPasswdMismatch(s)
+		m.Client().Reply(ErrPasswdMismatch(s))
 		m.Client().Destroy()
 		return
 	}
@@ -154,14 +166,17 @@ func (m *NickCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 	c := m.Client()
 
 	if s.clients[m.nickname] != nil {
-		c.replies <- ErrNickNameInUse(s, m.nickname)
+		c.Reply(ErrNickNameInUse(s, m.nickname))
 		return
 	}
 
+	if !c.HasNick() {
+		c.nick = m.nickname
+	}
 	reply := RplNick(c, m.nickname)
-	c.replies <- reply
+	c.Reply(reply)
 	for iclient := range c.InterestedClients() {
-		iclient.replies <- reply
+		iclient.Reply(reply)
 	}
 
 	s.clients.Remove(c)
@@ -174,7 +189,7 @@ func (m *NickCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 func (m *UserMsgCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 	c := m.Client()
 	if c.registered {
-		c.replies <- ErrAlreadyRegistered(s)
+		c.Reply(ErrAlreadyRegistered(s))
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -190,12 +205,12 @@ func (m *QuitCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 		channel.members.Remove(c)
 	}
 
-	c.replies <- RplError(s, c)
+	c.Reply(RplError(s, c))
 	c.Destroy()
 
 	reply := RplQuit(c, m.message)
 	for client := range c.InterestedClients() {
-		client.replies <- reply
+		client.Reply(reply)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -221,7 +236,7 @@ func (m *PartCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 		channel := s.channels[chname]
 
 		if channel == nil {
-			m.Client().replies <- ErrNoSuchChannel(s, channel.name)
+			m.Client().Reply(ErrNoSuchChannel(s, channel.name))
 			continue
 		}
 
@@ -232,7 +247,7 @@ func (m *PartCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 func (m *TopicCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 	channel := s.channels[m.channel]
 	if channel == nil {
-		m.Client().replies <- ErrNoSuchChannel(s, m.channel)
+		m.Client().Reply(ErrNoSuchChannel(s, m.channel))
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -243,7 +258,7 @@ func (m *PrivMsgCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 	if m.TargetIsChannel() {
 		channel := s.channels[m.target]
 		if channel == nil {
-			m.Client().replies <- ErrNoSuchChannel(s, m.target)
+			m.Client().Reply(ErrNoSuchChannel(s, m.target))
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -253,10 +268,10 @@ func (m *PrivMsgCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 
 	target := s.clients[m.target]
 	if target == nil {
-		m.Client().replies <- ErrNoSuchNick(s, m.target)
+		m.Client().Reply(ErrNoSuchNick(s, m.target))
 		return
 	}
-	target.replies <- RplPrivMsg(m.Client(), target, m.message)
+	target.Reply(RplPrivMsg(m.Client(), target, m.message))
 }
 
 func (m *ModeCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
@@ -272,11 +287,11 @@ func (m *ModeCommand) HandleServer(s *Server) {
 				}
 			}
 		}
-		client.replies <- RplUModeIs(s, client)
+		client.Reply(RplUModeIs(s, client))
 		return
 	}
 
-	client.replies <- ErrUsersDontMatch(client)
+	client.Reply(ErrUsersDontMatch(client))
 }
 
 func (m *WhoisCommand) HandleServer(server *Server) {
@@ -284,7 +299,7 @@ func (m *WhoisCommand) HandleServer(server *Server) {
 
 	// TODO implement target query
 	if m.target != "" {
-		client.replies <- ErrNoSuchServer(server, m.target)
+		client.Reply(ErrNoSuchServer(server, m.target))
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -292,17 +307,17 @@ func (m *WhoisCommand) HandleServer(server *Server) {
 		// TODO implement wildcard matching
 		mclient := server.clients[mask]
 		if mclient != nil {
-			client.replies <- RplWhoisUser(server, mclient)
+			client.Reply(RplWhoisUser(server, mclient))
 		}
 	}
-	client.replies <- RplEndOfWhois(server)
+	client.Reply(RplEndOfWhois(server))
 }
 
 func (msg *ChannelModeCommand) HandleServer(server *Server) {
 	client := msg.Client()
 	channel := server.channels[msg.channel]
 	if channel == nil {
-		client.replies <- ErrNoSuchChannel(server, msg.channel)
+		client.Reply(ErrNoSuchChannel(server, msg.channel))
 		return
 	}
 	channel.commands <- msg
@@ -310,7 +325,7 @@ func (msg *ChannelModeCommand) HandleServer(server *Server) {
 
 func whoChannel(client *Client, server *Server, channel *Channel) {
 	for member := range channel.members {
-		client.replies <- RplWhoReply(server, channel, member)
+		client.Reply(RplWhoReply(server, channel, member))
 	}
 }
 
@@ -331,9 +346,9 @@ func (msg *WhoCommand) HandleServer(server *Server) {
 	} else {
 		mclient := server.clients[mask]
 		if mclient != nil {
-			client.replies <- RplWhoReply(server, mclient.channels.First(), mclient)
+			client.Reply(RplWhoReply(server, mclient.channels.First(), mclient))
 		}
 	}
 
-	client.replies <- RplEndOfWho(server, mask)
+	client.Reply(RplEndOfWho(server, mask))
 }
diff --git a/irc/types.go b/irc/types.go
index ec974e67..0c380493 100644
--- a/irc/types.go
+++ b/irc/types.go
@@ -98,6 +98,20 @@ func (channels ChannelSet) First() *Channel {
 // interfaces
 //
 
+type Identifier interface {
+	Id() string
+	Nick() string
+}
+
+type Replier interface {
+	Reply(Reply) error
+}
+
+type Reply interface {
+	Format(*Client, chan<- string)
+	Source() Identifier
+}
+
 // commands the server understands
 // TODO rename ServerCommand
 type Command interface {