diff --git a/repmgrd-physical.c b/repmgrd-physical.c
index ffb5d756..c685eb05 100644
--- a/repmgrd-physical.c
+++ b/repmgrd-physical.c
@@ -3921,6 +3921,7 @@ follow_new_primary(int new_primary_id)
 
 				termPQExpBuffer(&event_details);
 
+				close_connection(&upstream_conn);
 				close_connection(&old_primary_conn);
 
 				return FAILOVER_STATE_PRIMARY_REAPPEARED;
@@ -3931,6 +3932,8 @@ follow_new_primary(int new_primary_id)
 			close_connection(&old_primary_conn);
 		}
 
+		close_connection(&upstream_conn);
+
 		return FAILOVER_STATE_FOLLOW_FAIL;
 	}