diff --git a/benchmarks/src/jmh/java/io/grpc/benchmarks/TransportBenchmark.java b/benchmarks/src/jmh/java/io/grpc/benchmarks/TransportBenchmark.java
index 6674589d23..027d309be4 100644
--- a/benchmarks/src/jmh/java/io/grpc/benchmarks/TransportBenchmark.java
+++ b/benchmarks/src/jmh/java/io/grpc/benchmarks/TransportBenchmark.java
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ public class TransportBenchmark {
             .eventLoopGroup(group)
             .channelType(LocalChannel.class)
             .negotiationType(NegotiationType.PLAINTEXT);
+        groupToShutdown = group;
         break;
       }
       case NETTY_EPOLL: