diff --git a/smack-extensions/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/smackx/bytestreams/socks5/Socks5BytestreamManager.java b/smack-extensions/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/smackx/bytestreams/socks5/Socks5BytestreamManager.java
index f257efa6e..46b438d72 100644
--- a/smack-extensions/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/smackx/bytestreams/socks5/Socks5BytestreamManager.java
+++ b/smack-extensions/src/main/java/org/jivesoftware/smackx/bytestreams/socks5/Socks5BytestreamManager.java
@@ -658,6 +658,9 @@ public final class Socks5BytestreamManager extends Manager implements Bytestream
      *         is not running
      */
     public List<StreamHost> getLocalStreamHost() {
+        // Ensure that the local SOCKS5 proxy is running (if enabled).
+        Socks5Proxy.getSocks5Proxy();
+
         List<StreamHost> streamHosts = new ArrayList<>();
 
         XMPPConnection connection = connection();