diff --git a/tests/isc/doh_test.c b/tests/isc/doh_test.c
index ad083f1e70..1da62f1d60 100644
--- a/tests/isc/doh_test.c
+++ b/tests/isc/doh_test.c
@@ -773,6 +773,7 @@ doh_connect_thread(void *arg) {
 	 */
 	int_fast64_t active = atomic_fetch_add(&active_cconnects, 1);
 	if (active > workers) {
+		atomic_fetch_sub(&active_cconnects, 1);
 		return;
 	}
 	connect_send_request(connect_nm, req_url, atomic_load(&POST),