diff -r fe532dccf8f6 Lib/smtplib.py
--- a/Lib/smtplib.py	Mon Apr 14 10:30:43 2014 -0400
+++ b/Lib/smtplib.py	Mon Apr 14 20:47:53 2014 +0530
@@ -478,6 +478,15 @@
         """SMTP 'rset' command -- resets session."""
         return self.docmd("rset")
 
+    def _rset(self):
+        """Internal 'rset' command which ignores any SMTPServerDisconnected error.
+        To be used internally in the library.
+        """
+        try:
+            self.rset()
+        except SMTPServerDisconnected:
+            pass
+
     def noop(self):
         """SMTP 'noop' command -- doesn't do anything :>"""
         return self.docmd("noop")
@@ -762,7 +771,7 @@
             if code == 421:
                 self.close()
             else:
-                self.rset()
+                self._rset()
             raise SMTPSenderRefused(code, resp, from_addr)
         senderrs = {}
         if isinstance(to_addrs, str):
@@ -776,14 +785,14 @@
                 raise SMTPRecipientsRefused(senderrs)
         if len(senderrs) == len(to_addrs):
             # the server refused all our recipients
-            self.rset()
+            self._rset()
             raise SMTPRecipientsRefused(senderrs)
         (code, resp) = self.data(msg)
         if code != 250:
             if code == 421:
                 self.close()
             else:
-                self.rset()
+                self._rset()
             raise SMTPDataError(code, resp)
         #if we got here then somebody got our mail
         return senderrs
diff -r fe532dccf8f6 Lib/test/test_smtplib.py
--- a/Lib/test/test_smtplib.py	Mon Apr 14 10:30:43 2014 -0400
+++ b/Lib/test/test_smtplib.py	Mon Apr 14 20:47:53 2014 +0530
@@ -619,6 +619,7 @@
     data_response = None
     rcpt_count = 0
     rset_count = 0
+    disconnect = 0
 
     def __init__(self, extra_features, *args, **kw):
         self._extrafeatures = ''.join(
@@ -684,6 +685,8 @@
             super().smtp_MAIL(arg)
         else:
             self.push(self.mail_response)
+            if self.disconnect:
+                self.close_when_done()
 
     def smtp_RCPT(self, arg):
         if self.rcpt_response is None:
@@ -875,6 +878,16 @@
     #TODO: add tests for correct AUTH method fallback now that the
     #test infrastructure can support it.
 
+    # Issue 17498: make sure _rset does not raise SMTPServerDisconnected exception
+    def test__rest_from_mail_cmd(self):
+        smtp = smtplib.SMTP(HOST, self.port, local_hostname='localhost', timeout=15)
+        smtp.noop()
+        self.serv._SMTPchannel.mail_response = '451 Requested action aborted'
+        self.serv._SMTPchannel.disconnect = True
+        with self.assertRaises(smtplib.SMTPSenderRefused):
+            smtp.sendmail('John', 'Sally', 'test message')
+        self.assertIsNone(smtp.sock)
+
     # Issue 5713: make sure close, not rset, is called if we get a 421 error
     def test_421_from_mail_cmd(self):
         smtp = smtplib.SMTP(HOST, self.port, local_hostname='localhost', timeout=15)