diff --git a/piker/brokers/kraken/feed.py b/piker/brokers/kraken/feed.py
index 7088011d..57fc0126 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/kraken/feed.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/kraken/feed.py
@@ -303,24 +303,6 @@ async def open_history_client(
         yield get_ohlc, {'erlangs': 1, 'rate': 1}
 
 
-async def backfill_bars(
-
-    sym: str,
-    shm: ShmArray,  # type: ignore # noqa
-    count: int = 10,  # NOTE: any more and we'll overrun the underlying buffer
-    task_status: TaskStatus[trio.CancelScope] = trio.TASK_STATUS_IGNORED,
-
-) -> None:
-    '''
-    Fill historical bars into shared mem / storage afap.
-    '''
-    with trio.CancelScope() as cs:
-        async with open_cached_client('kraken') as client:
-            bars = await client.bars(symbol=sym)
-            shm.push(bars)
-            task_status.started(cs)
-
-
 async def stream_quotes(
 
     send_chan: trio.abc.SendChannel,
@@ -419,14 +401,15 @@ async def stream_quotes(
             yield
 
             # unsub from all pairs on teardown
-            await ws.send_msg({
-                'pair': list(ws_pairs.values()),
-                'event': 'unsubscribe',
-                'subscription': ['ohlc', 'spread'],
-            })
+            if ws.connected():
+                await ws.send_msg({
+                    'pair': list(ws_pairs.values()),
+                    'event': 'unsubscribe',
+                    'subscription': ['ohlc', 'spread'],
+                })
 
-            # XXX: do we need to ack the unsub?
-            # await ws.recv_msg()
+                # XXX: do we need to ack the unsub?
+                # await ws.recv_msg()
 
         # see the tips on reconnection logic:
         # https://support.kraken.com/hc/en-us/articles/360044504011-WebSocket-API-unexpected-disconnections-from-market-data-feeds