diff --git a/repmgr.h b/repmgr.h
index 50c0f47f..aea72d20 100644
--- a/repmgr.h
+++ b/repmgr.h
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@
 #define ELECTION_RERUN_NOTIFICATION -2
 #define VOTING_TERM_NOT_SET -1
 #define ARCHIVE_STATUS_DIR_ERROR -1
+#define NO_DEGRADED_MONITORING_ELAPSED -1
 
 #define BDR2_REPLICATION_SET_NAME "repmgr"
 
diff --git a/repmgrd-physical.c b/repmgrd-physical.c
index ecd3313e..9c0f0ec7 100644
--- a/repmgrd-physical.c
+++ b/repmgrd-physical.c
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ monitor_streaming_primary(void)
 					 * check that the local node is still primary, otherwise switch
 					 * to standby monitoring
 					 */
-					if (check_primary_status(-1) == false)
+					if (check_primary_status(NO_DEGRADED_MONITORING_ELAPSED) == false)
 						return;
 
 					goto loop;
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ monitor_streaming_primary(void)
 loop:
 
 		/* check node is still primary, if not restart monitoring */
-		if (check_primary_status(-1) == false)
+		if (check_primary_status(NO_DEGRADED_MONITORING_ELAPSED) == false)
 			return;
 
 		/* emit "still alive" log message at regular intervals, if requested */