diff --git a/servers/slapd/backend.c b/servers/slapd/backend.c
index 2698c295ef..fd11c69c23 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/backend.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/backend.c
@@ -612,6 +612,9 @@ backend_db_init(
 			nbackends--;
 		}
 	} else {
+		if ( !bi->bi_nDB ) {
+			backend_init_controls( bi );
+		}
 		bi->bi_nDB++;
 	}
 	return( be );