diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 49dd1643..ef090b80 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+Version 110:
+
+* Refactor stream open state variable
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 Version 109:
 
 * refactor test::stream
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/close.ipp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/close.ipp
index 01a99334..5eec4918 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/close.ipp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/close.ipp
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t bytes_transferred)
             d.ws.wr_block_ = d.tok;
 
             // Make sure the stream is open
-            if(d.ws.failed_)
+            if(! d.ws.open_)
             {
                 BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
                 d.ws.get_io_service().post(
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t bytes_transferred)
             BOOST_ASSERT(d.ws.wr_block_ == d.tok);
 
             // Make sure the stream is open
-            if(d.ws.failed_)
+            if(! d.ws.open_)
             {
                 ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
                 goto upcall;
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t bytes_transferred)
             d.fb.data(), std::move(*this));
         if(ec)
         {
-            d.ws.failed_ = true;
+            d.ws.open_ = false;
             goto upcall;
         }
 
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t bytes_transferred)
             BOOST_ASSERT(d.ws.rd_block_ == d.tok);
 
             // Handle the stream closing while suspended
-            if(d.ws.failed_)
+            if(! d.ws.open_)
             {
                 ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
                 goto upcall;
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t bytes_transferred)
                             std::move(*this));
                 if(ec)
                 {
-                    d.ws.failed_ = true;
+                    d.ws.open_ = false;
                     goto upcall;
                 }
                 d.ws.rd_.buf.commit(bytes_transferred);
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t bytes_transferred)
                                 std::move(*this));
                     if(ec)
                     {
-                        d.ws.failed_ = true;
+                        d.ws.open_ = false;
                         goto upcall;
                     }
                     d.ws.rd_.buf.commit(bytes_transferred);
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t bytes_transferred)
         }
         if(! ec)
             ec = d.ev;
-        d.ws.failed_ = true;
+        d.ws.open_ = false;
 
     upcall:
         BOOST_ASSERT(d.ws.wr_block_ == d.tok);
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ close(close_reason const& cr, error_code& ec)
         "SyncStream requirements not met");
     using beast::detail::clamp;
     // Make sure the stream is open
-    if(failed_)
+    if(! open_)
     {
         ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
         return;
@@ -368,8 +368,8 @@ close(close_reason const& cr, error_code& ec)
         write_close<flat_static_buffer_base>(fb, cr);
         boost::asio::write(stream_, fb.data(), ec);
     }
-    failed_ = !!ec;
-    if(failed_)
+    open_ = ! ec;
+    if(! open_)
         return;
     // Drain the connection
     close_code code{};
@@ -387,8 +387,8 @@ close(close_reason const& cr, error_code& ec)
                 stream_.read_some(
                     rd_.buf.prepare(read_size(rd_.buf,
                         rd_.buf.max_size())), ec);
-            failed_ = !!ec;
-            if(failed_)
+            open_ = ! ec;
+            if(! open_)
                 return;
             rd_.buf.commit(bytes_transferred);
         }
@@ -425,8 +425,8 @@ close(close_reason const& cr, error_code& ec)
                     stream_.read_some(
                         rd_.buf.prepare(read_size(rd_.buf,
                             rd_.buf.max_size())), ec);
-                failed_ = !!ec;
-                if(failed_)
+                open_ = ! ec;
+                if(! open_)
                     return;
                 rd_.buf.commit(bytes_transferred);
             }
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/fail.ipp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/fail.ipp
index 48f6572d..5a2cda0d 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/fail.ipp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/fail.ipp
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t)
                 d.ws.wr_block_ = d.tok;
 
                 // Make sure the stream is open
-                if(d.ws.failed_)
+                if(! d.ws.open_)
                 {
                     BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
                     d.ws.get_io_service().post(
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t)
                 BOOST_ASSERT(d.ws.wr_block_ == d.tok);
 
                 // Make sure the stream is open
-                if(d.ws.failed_)
+                if(! d.ws.open_)
                 {
                     ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
                     goto upcall;
@@ -180,8 +180,8 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t)
                 d.ws.stream_, d.fb.data(),
                     std::move(*this));
             BOOST_ASSERT(d.ws.wr_block_ == d.tok);
-            d.ws.failed_ = !!ec;
-            if(d.ws.failed_)
+            d.ws.open_ = ! ec;
+            if(! d.ws.open_)
                 goto upcall;
         }
         // Teardown
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t)
         }
         if(! ec)
             ec = d.ev;
-        d.ws.failed_ = true;
+        d.ws.open_ = false;
     upcall:
         if(d.ws.wr_block_ == d.tok)
             d.ws.wr_block_.reset();
@@ -227,8 +227,8 @@ do_fail(
         write_close<
             flat_static_buffer_base>(fb, code);
         boost::asio::write(stream_, fb.data(), ec);
-        failed_ = !!ec;
-        if(failed_)
+        open_ = ! ec;
+        if(! open_)
             return;
     }
     using beast::websocket::teardown;
@@ -239,11 +239,11 @@ do_fail(
         // http://stackoverflow.com/questions/25587403/boost-asio-ssl-async-shutdown-always-finishes-with-an-error
         ec.assign(0, ec.category());
     }
-    failed_ = !!ec;
-    if(failed_)
+    open_ = ! ec;
+    if(! open_)
         return;
     ec = ev;
-    failed_ = true;
+    open_ = false;
 }
 
 /*  _Fail the WebSocket Connection_
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/ping.ipp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/ping.ipp
index a8b420c6..cca37e36 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/ping.ipp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/ping.ipp
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t)
             d.ws.wr_block_ = d.tok;
 
             // Make sure the stream is open
-            if(d.ws.failed_)
+            if(! d.ws.open_)
             {
                 BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
                 d.ws.get_io_service().post(
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t)
             BOOST_ASSERT(d.ws.wr_block_ == d.tok);
 
             // Make sure the stream is open
-            if(d.ws.failed_)
+            if(! d.ws.open_)
             {
                 ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
                 goto upcall;
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec, std::size_t)
         boost::asio::async_write(d.ws.stream_,
             d.fb.data(), std::move(*this));
         if(ec)
-            d.ws.failed_ = true;
+            d.ws.open_ = false;
 
     upcall:
         BOOST_ASSERT(d.ws.wr_block_ == d.tok);
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ stream<NextLayer>::
 ping(ping_data const& payload, error_code& ec)
 {
     // Make sure the stream is open
-    if(failed_)
+    if(! open_)
     {
         ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
         return;
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ stream<NextLayer>::
 pong(ping_data const& payload, error_code& ec)
 {
     // Make sure the stream is open
-    if(failed_)
+    if(! open_)
     {
         ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
         return;
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/read.ipp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/read.ipp
index 1bbc2c84..b71709a9 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/read.ipp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/read.ipp
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ operator()(
             ws_.rd_block_ = tok_;
 
             // Make sure the stream is open
-            if(ws_.failed_)
+            if(! ws_.open_)
             {
                 BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
                 ws_.get_io_service().post(
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ operator()(
             dispatched_ = true;
 
             // Handle the stream closing while suspended
-            if(ws_.failed_)
+            if(! ws_.open_)
             {
                 ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
                 goto upcall;
@@ -197,8 +197,8 @@ operator()(
                         ws_.rd_.buf, ws_.rd_.buf.max_size())),
                             std::move(*this));
                 dispatched_ = true;
-                ws_.failed_ = !!ec;
-                if(ws_.failed_)
+                ws_.open_ = ! ec;
+                if(! ws_.open_)
                     goto upcall;
                 ws_.rd_.buf.commit(bytes_transferred);
             }
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ operator()(
                         dispatched_ = true;
 
                         // Make sure the stream is open
-                        if(ws_.failed_)
+                        if(! ws_.open_)
                         {
                             ws_.wr_block_.reset();
                             ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
@@ -284,8 +284,8 @@ operator()(
                     BOOST_ASSERT(ws_.wr_block_ == tok_);
                     dispatched_ = true;
                     ws_.wr_block_.reset();
-                    ws_.failed_ = !!ec;
-                    if(ws_.failed_)
+                    ws_.open_ = ! ec;
+                    if(! ws_.open_)
                         goto upcall;
                     goto loop;
                 }
@@ -365,8 +365,8 @@ operator()(
                             ws_.rd_.buf, ws_.rd_.buf.max_size())),
                                 std::move(*this));
                     dispatched_ = true;
-                    ws_.failed_ = !!ec;
-                    if(ws_.failed_)
+                    ws_.open_ = ! ec;
+                    if(! ws_.open_)
                         goto upcall;
                     ws_.rd_.buf.commit(bytes_transferred);
                     if(ws_.rd_.fh.mask)
@@ -408,8 +408,8 @@ operator()(
                     ws_.stream_.async_read_some(buffer_prefix(
                         clamp(ws_.rd_.remain), cb_), std::move(*this));
                     dispatched_ = true;
-                    ws_.failed_ = !!ec;
-                    if(ws_.failed_)
+                    ws_.open_ = ! ec;
+                    if(! ws_.open_)
                         goto upcall;
                     BOOST_ASSERT(bytes_transferred > 0);
                     auto const mb = buffer_prefix(
@@ -453,8 +453,8 @@ operator()(
                         ws_.rd_.buf.prepare(read_size(
                             ws_.rd_.buf, ws_.rd_.buf.max_size())),
                                 std::move(*this));
-                    ws_.failed_ = !!ec;
-                    if(ws_.failed_)
+                    ws_.open_ = ! ec;
+                    if(! ws_.open_)
                         goto upcall;
                     BOOST_ASSERT(bytes_transferred > 0);
                     ws_.rd_.buf.commit(bytes_transferred);
@@ -497,8 +497,8 @@ operator()(
                     zs.avail_in = sizeof(empty_block);
                     ws_.pmd_->zi.write(zs, zlib::Flush::sync, ec);
                     BOOST_ASSERT(! ec);
-                    ws_.failed_ = !!ec;
-                    if(ws_.failed_)
+                    ws_.open_ = ! ec;
+                    if(! ws_.open_)
                         break;
                     // VFALCO See:
                     // https://github.com/madler/zlib/issues/280
@@ -521,8 +521,8 @@ operator()(
                 }
                 ws_.pmd_->zi.write(zs, zlib::Flush::sync, ec);
                 BOOST_ASSERT(ec != zlib::error::end_of_stream);
-                ws_.failed_ = !!ec;
-                if(ws_.failed_)
+                ws_.open_ = ! ec;
+                if(! ws_.open_)
                     break;
                 if(ws_.rd_msg_max_ && beast::detail::sum_exceeds(
                     ws_.rd_.size, zs.total_out, ws_.rd_msg_max_))
@@ -893,7 +893,7 @@ read_some(
     close_code code{};
     std::size_t bytes_written = 0;
     // Make sure the stream is open
-    if(failed_)
+    if(! open_)
     {
         ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
         return 0;
@@ -919,8 +919,8 @@ loop:
                     rd_.buf.prepare(read_size(
                         rd_.buf, rd_.buf.max_size())),
                     ec);
-            failed_ = !!ec;
-            if(failed_)
+            open_ = ! ec;
+            if(! open_)
                 return bytes_written;
             rd_.buf.commit(bytes_transferred);
         }
@@ -959,8 +959,8 @@ loop:
                 write_ping<flat_static_buffer_base>(fb,
                     detail::opcode::pong, payload);
                 boost::asio::write(stream_, fb.data(), ec);
-                failed_ = !!ec;
-                if(failed_)
+                open_ = ! ec;
+                if(! open_)
                     return bytes_written;
                 goto loop;
             }
@@ -1024,8 +1024,8 @@ loop:
                 rd_.buf.commit(stream_.read_some(
                     rd_.buf.prepare(read_size(rd_.buf,
                         rd_.buf.max_size())), ec));
-                failed_ = !!ec;
-                if(failed_)
+                open_ = ! ec;
+                if(! open_)
                     return bytes_written;
                 if(rd_.fh.mask)
                     detail::mask_inplace(
@@ -1068,8 +1068,8 @@ loop:
                 auto const bytes_transferred =
                     stream_.read_some(buffer_prefix(
                         clamp(rd_.remain), buffers), ec);
-                failed_ = !!ec;
-                if(failed_)
+                open_ = ! ec;
+                if(! open_)
                     return bytes_written;
                 BOOST_ASSERT(bytes_transferred > 0);
                 auto const mb = buffer_prefix(
@@ -1131,8 +1131,8 @@ loop:
                             rd_.buf.prepare(read_size(
                                 rd_.buf, rd_.buf.max_size())),
                             ec);
-                    failed_ = !!ec;
-                    if(failed_)
+                    open_ = ! ec;
+                    if(! open_)
                         return bytes_written;
                     BOOST_ASSERT(bytes_transferred > 0);
                     rd_.buf.commit(bytes_transferred);
@@ -1162,8 +1162,8 @@ loop:
                 zs.avail_in = sizeof(empty_block);
                 pmd_->zi.write(zs, zlib::Flush::sync, ec);
                 BOOST_ASSERT(! ec);
-                failed_ = !!ec;
-                if(failed_)
+                open_ = ! ec;
+                if(! open_)
                     return bytes_written;
                 // VFALCO See:
                 // https://github.com/madler/zlib/issues/280
@@ -1186,8 +1186,8 @@ loop:
             }
             pmd_->zi.write(zs, zlib::Flush::sync, ec);
             BOOST_ASSERT(ec != zlib::error::end_of_stream);
-            failed_ = !!ec;
-            if(failed_)
+            open_ = ! ec;
+            if(! open_)
                 return bytes_written;
             if(rd_msg_max_ && beast::detail::sum_exceeds(
                 rd_.size, zs.total_out, rd_msg_max_))
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/stream.ipp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/stream.ipp
index c0550984..6bd75d12 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/stream.ipp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/stream.ipp
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ open(role_type role)
 {
     // VFALCO TODO analyze and remove dupe code in reset()
     role_ = role;
-    failed_ = false;
+    open_ = true;
     rd_.remain = 0;
     rd_.cont = false;
     rd_.done = true;
@@ -194,7 +194,8 @@ void
 stream<NextLayer>::
 reset()
 {
-    failed_ = false;
+    BOOST_ASSERT(! open_);
+    open_ = false; // VFALCO is this needed?
     rd_.remain = 0;
     rd_.cont = false;
     rd_.done = true;
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/write.ipp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/write.ipp
index f42755df..7866fa58 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/write.ipp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/write.ipp
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec,
             ws_.wr_block_ = tok_;
 
             // Make sure the stream is open
-            if(ws_.failed_)
+            if(! ws_.open_)
             {
                 BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
                 ws_.get_io_service().post(
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec,
             BOOST_ASSERT(ws_.wr_block_ == tok_);
 
             // Make sure the stream is open
-            if(ws_.failed_)
+            if(! ws_.open_)
             {
                 ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
                 goto upcall;
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec,
                     std::move(*this));
             BOOST_ASSERT(ws_.wr_block_ == tok_);
             if(ec)
-                ws_.failed_ = true;
+                ws_.open_ = false;
             goto upcall;
         }
 
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec,
                 BOOST_ASSERT(ws_.wr_block_ == tok_);
                 if(ec)
                 {
-                    ws_.failed_ = true;
+                    ws_.open_ = false;
                     goto upcall;
                 }
                 if(remain_ == 0)
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec,
             BOOST_ASSERT(ws_.wr_block_ == tok_);
             if(ec)
             {
-                ws_.failed_ = true;
+                ws_.open_ = false;
                 goto upcall;
             }
             while(remain_ > 0)
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec,
                 BOOST_ASSERT(ws_.wr_block_ == tok_);
                 if(ec)
                 {
-                    ws_.failed_ = true;
+                    ws_.open_ = false;
                     goto upcall;
                 }
             }
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec,
                 BOOST_ASSERT(ws_.wr_block_ == tok_);
                 if(ec)
                 {
-                    ws_.failed_ = true;
+                    ws_.open_ = false;
                     goto upcall;
                 }
                 if(remain_ == 0)
@@ -435,8 +435,8 @@ operator()(error_code ec,
                     ws_.wr_.buf_size);
                 more_ = detail::deflate(
                     ws_.pmd_->zo, b, cb_, fin_, ec);
-                ws_.failed_ = !!ec;
-                if(ws_.failed_)
+                ws_.open_ = ! ec;
+                if(! ws_.open_)
                 {
                     // Always dispatching is easiest
                     BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ operator()(error_code ec,
                 BOOST_ASSERT(ws_.wr_block_ == tok_);
                 if(ec)
                 {
-                    ws_.failed_ = true;
+                    ws_.open_ = false;
                     goto upcall;
                 }
                 if(more_)
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ write_some(bool fin,
     using boost::asio::buffer_copy;
     using boost::asio::buffer_size;
     // Make sure the stream is open
-    if(failed_)
+    if(! open_)
     {
         ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
         return;
@@ -598,8 +598,8 @@ write_some(bool fin,
                 wr_.buf.get(), wr_.buf_size);
             auto const more = detail::deflate(
                 pmd_->zo, b, cb, fin, ec);
-            failed_ = !!ec;
-            if(failed_)
+            open_ = ! ec;
+            if(! open_)
                 return;
             auto const n = buffer_size(b);
             if(n == 0)
@@ -627,8 +627,8 @@ write_some(bool fin,
             wr_.cont = ! fin;
             boost::asio::write(stream_,
                 buffer_cat(fh_buf.data(), b), ec);
-            failed_ = !!ec;
-            if(failed_)
+            open_ = ! ec;
+            if(! open_)
                 return;
             if(! more)
                 break;
@@ -656,8 +656,8 @@ write_some(bool fin,
             wr_.cont = ! fin;
             boost::asio::write(stream_,
                 buffer_cat(fh_buf.data(), buffers), ec);
-            failed_ = !!ec;
-            if(failed_)
+            open_ = ! ec;
+            if(! open_)
                 return;
         }
         else
@@ -679,8 +679,8 @@ write_some(bool fin,
                 boost::asio::write(stream_,
                     buffer_cat(fh_buf.data(),
                         buffer_prefix(n, cb)), ec);
-                failed_ = !!ec;
-                if(failed_)
+                open_ = ! ec;
+                if(! open_)
                     return;
                 if(remain == 0)
                     break;
@@ -713,8 +713,8 @@ write_some(bool fin,
             wr_.cont = ! fin;
             boost::asio::write(stream_,
                 buffer_cat(fh_buf.data(), b), ec);
-            failed_ = !!ec;
-            if(failed_)
+            open_ = ! ec;
+            if(! open_)
                 return;
         }
         while(remain > 0)
@@ -726,8 +726,8 @@ write_some(bool fin,
             remain -= n;
             detail::mask_inplace(b, key);
             boost::asio::write(stream_, b, ec);
-            failed_ = !!ec;
-            if(failed_)
+            open_ = ! ec;
+            if(! open_)
                 return;
         }
         return;
@@ -755,8 +755,8 @@ write_some(bool fin,
                 flat_static_buffer_base>(fh_buf, fh);
             boost::asio::write(stream_,
                 buffer_cat(fh_buf.data(), b), ec);
-            failed_ = !!ec;
-            if(failed_)
+            open_ = ! ec;
+            if(! open_)
                 return;
             if(remain == 0)
                 break;
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/stream.hpp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/stream.hpp
index e8b289c2..159b3743 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/stream.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/stream.hpp
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ class stream
         detail::opcode::text;               // outgoing message type
     control_cb_type ctrl_cb_;               // control callback
     role_type role_;                        // server or client
-    bool failed_ = true;                    // the connection failed
+    bool open_ = false;                     // `true` if established
 
     bool rd_close_;                         // read close frame
     bool wr_close_;                         // sent close frame