diff --git a/servers/slapd/connection.c b/servers/slapd/connection.c
index 3fa6a89b1d..956180747a 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/connection.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/connection.c
@@ -880,7 +880,7 @@ void connection_done( Connection *c )
 static void *
 connection_operation( void *ctx, void *arg_v )
 {
-	int rc;
+	int rc = SLAPD_DISCONNECT;
 	Operation *op = arg_v;
 	SlapReply rs = {REP_RESULT};
 	ber_tag_t tag = op->o_tag;