diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-sock/opensock.c b/servers/slapd/back-sock/opensock.c
index b2a9943ea1..b02e573370 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-sock/opensock.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-sock/opensock.c
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ opensock(
 	if ( connect( fd, (struct sockaddr *)&sockun, sizeof(sockun) ) < 0 ) {
 		Debug( LDAP_DEBUG_ANY, "socket connect(%s) failed\n",
 			sockpath ? sockpath : "<null>", 0, 0 );
+		close( fd );
 		return( NULL );
 	}