diff --git a/repmgrd.c b/repmgrd.c
index a38e1915..be416884 100644
--- a/repmgrd.c
+++ b/repmgrd.c
@@ -956,6 +956,7 @@ do_failover(void)
 
 	/* Close the connection to this server */
 	PQfinish(myLocalConn);
+	myLocalConn = NULL;
 
 	/*
 	 * determine which one is the best candidate to promote to primary