diff --git a/tools/watch/retrywatcher.go b/tools/watch/retrywatcher.go
index d81dc435..8431d02f 100644
--- a/tools/watch/retrywatcher.go
+++ b/tools/watch/retrywatcher.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"net/http"
+	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	apierrors "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/errors"
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ type RetryWatcher struct {
 	stopChan            chan struct{}
 	doneChan            chan struct{}
 	minRestartDelay     time.Duration
+	stopChanLock        sync.Mutex
 }
 
 // NewRetryWatcher creates a new RetryWatcher.
@@ -286,7 +288,15 @@ func (rw *RetryWatcher) ResultChan() <-chan watch.Event {
 
 // Stop implements Interface.
 func (rw *RetryWatcher) Stop() {
-	close(rw.stopChan)
+	rw.stopChanLock.Lock()
+	defer rw.stopChanLock.Unlock()
+
+	// Prevent closing an already closed channel to prevent a panic
+	select {
+	case <-rw.stopChan:
+	default:
+		close(rw.stopChan)
+	}
 }
 
 // Done allows the caller to be notified when Retry watcher stops.
diff --git a/tools/watch/retrywatcher_test.go b/tools/watch/retrywatcher_test.go
index fff3a46c..297661aa 100644
--- a/tools/watch/retrywatcher_test.go
+++ b/tools/watch/retrywatcher_test.go
@@ -585,6 +585,8 @@ func TestRetryWatcherToFinishWithUnreadEvents(t *testing.T) {
 	// Give the watcher a chance to get to sending events (blocking)
 	time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
 
+	watcher.Stop()
+	// Verify a second stop does not cause a panic
 	watcher.Stop()
 
 	maxTime := time.Second