diff --git a/src/tools/parallel_handler.rs b/src/tools/parallel_handler.rs
index 185ac2fc..36a7b859 100644
--- a/src/tools/parallel_handler.rs
+++ b/src/tools/parallel_handler.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ pub struct SendHandle<I> {
 }
 
 /// Returns the first error happened, if any
-pub fn check_abort(abort: Arc<Mutex<Option<String>>>) -> Result<(), Error> {
+pub fn check_abort(abort: &Mutex<Option<String>>) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let guard = abort.lock().unwrap();
     if let Some(err_msg) = &*guard {
         return Err(format_err!("{}", err_msg));
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ pub fn check_abort(abort: Arc<Mutex<Option<String>>>) -> Result<(), Error> {
 impl<I: Send> SendHandle<I> {
     /// Send data to the worker threads
     pub fn send(&self, input: I) -> Result<(), Error> {
-        check_abort(Arc::clone(&self.abort))?;
+        check_abort(&self.abort)?;
         match self.input.send(input) {
             Ok(()) => Ok(()),
             Err(_) => bail!("send failed - channel closed"),
@@ -123,14 +123,15 @@ impl<'a, I: Send + 'static> ParallelHandler<'a, I> {
     pub fn complete(mut self) -> Result<(), Error> {
         let input = self.input.take().unwrap();
         let abort = Arc::clone(&input.abort);
-        check_abort(Arc::clone(&abort))?;
+        check_abort(&abort)?;
         drop(input);
 
         let msg_list = self.join_threads();
 
+        // an error might be encountered while waiting for the join
+        check_abort(&abort)?;
+
         if msg_list.is_empty() {
-            // an error might be encountered while waiting for the join
-            check_abort(abort)?;
             return Ok(());
         }
         Err(format_err!("{}", msg_list.join("\n")))