diff --git a/core/java/src/net/i2p/data/i2cp/I2CPMessageReader.java b/core/java/src/net/i2p/data/i2cp/I2CPMessageReader.java
index 4ac902a48..39633881e 100644
--- a/core/java/src/net/i2p/data/i2cp/I2CPMessageReader.java
+++ b/core/java/src/net/i2p/data/i2cp/I2CPMessageReader.java
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public class I2CPMessageReader {
 
     /**
      * Have the already started reader pause its reading indefinitely
-     *
+     * @deprecated unused
      */
     public void pauseReading() {
         _reader.pauseRunner();
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ public class I2CPMessageReader {
 
     /**
      * Resume reading after a pause
-     *
+     * @deprecated unused
      */
     public void resumeReading() {
         _reader.resumeRunner();
@@ -131,10 +131,12 @@ public class I2CPMessageReader {
             _stayAlive = true;
         }
 
+        /** deprecated unused */
         public void pauseRunner() {
             _doRun = false;
         }
 
+        /** deprecated unused */
         public void resumeRunner() {
             _doRun = true;
         }
@@ -181,7 +183,8 @@ public class I2CPMessageReader {
                         cancelRunner();
                     }
                 }
-                if (!_doRun) {
+                // ??? unused
+                if (_stayAlive && !_doRun) {
                     // pause .5 secs when we're paused
                     try {
                         Thread.sleep(500);
diff --git a/core/java/src/net/i2p/internal/QueuedI2CPMessageReader.java b/core/java/src/net/i2p/internal/QueuedI2CPMessageReader.java
index da128ceaa..d713b678d 100644
--- a/core/java/src/net/i2p/internal/QueuedI2CPMessageReader.java
+++ b/core/java/src/net/i2p/internal/QueuedI2CPMessageReader.java
@@ -26,6 +26,12 @@ public class QueuedI2CPMessageReader extends I2CPMessageReader {
             super();
         }
 
+        @Override
+        public void cancelRunner() {
+            super.cancelRunner();
+            _readerThread.interrupt();
+        }
+
         @Override
         public void run() {
             while (_stayAlive) {
@@ -40,7 +46,8 @@ public class QueuedI2CPMessageReader extends I2CPMessageReader {
                             _listener.messageReceived(QueuedI2CPMessageReader.this, msg);
                     } catch (InterruptedException ie) {}
                 }
-                if (!_doRun) {
+                // ??? unused
+                if (_stayAlive && !_doRun) {
                     // pause .5 secs when we're paused
                     try {
                         Thread.sleep(500);
diff --git a/router/java/src/net/i2p/data/i2np/I2NPMessageReader.java b/router/java/src/net/i2p/data/i2np/I2NPMessageReader.java
index 68dabbcc7..74b93b34f 100644
--- a/router/java/src/net/i2p/data/i2np/I2NPMessageReader.java
+++ b/router/java/src/net/i2p/data/i2np/I2NPMessageReader.java
@@ -56,16 +56,19 @@ public class I2NPMessageReader {
      *
      */
     public void startReading() { _readerThread.start(); }
+
     /**
      * Have the already started reader pause its reading indefinitely
-     *
+     * @deprecated unused
      */
     public void pauseReading() { _reader.pauseRunner(); }
+
     /**
      * Resume reading after a pause
-     *
+     * @deprecated unused
      */
     public void resumeReading() { _reader.resumeRunner(); }
+
     /**
      * Cancel reading.
      *
@@ -106,8 +109,13 @@ public class I2NPMessageReader {
             _stayAlive = true;
             _handler = new I2NPMessageHandler(_context);
         }
+
+        /** deprecated unused */
         public void pauseRunner() { _doRun = false; }
+
+        /** deprecated unused */
         public void resumeRunner() { _doRun = true; }
+
         public void cancelRunner() {
             _doRun = false;
             _stayAlive = false;
@@ -153,7 +161,8 @@ public class I2NPMessageReader {
                         cancelRunner();
                     }
                 }
-                if (!_doRun) {
+                // ??? unused
+                if (_stayAlive && !_doRun) {
                     // pause .5 secs when we're paused
                     try { Thread.sleep(500); } catch (InterruptedException ie) {}
                 }