diff --git a/servers/slapd/connection.c b/servers/slapd/connection.c
index 41b2a7232d..6e2c934847 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/connection.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/connection.c
@@ -1628,7 +1628,7 @@ connection_input(
 		defer = "too many executing";
 	} else if (conn->c_conn_state == SLAP_C_BINDING ) {
 		defer = "binding";
-	} else if (conn->c_n_ops_pending) {
+	} else if (tag != LDAP_REQ_ABANDON && conn->c_n_ops_pending) {
 		defer = "pending operations";
 	}