diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-meta/conn.c b/servers/slapd/back-meta/conn.c
index d3f8697b48..ec49010914 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-meta/conn.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-meta/conn.c
@@ -1181,7 +1181,8 @@ retry_lock:;
 
 	case LDAP_REQ_BIND:
 		/* if bound as rootdn, the backend must bind to all targets
-		 * with the administrative identity */
+		 * with the administrative identity
+		 * (unless pseoudoroot-bind-defer is TRUE) */
 		if ( op->orb_method == LDAP_AUTH_SIMPLE && be_isroot_pw( op ) ) {
 			op_type = META_OP_REQUIRE_ALL;
 		}
@@ -1239,6 +1240,9 @@ retry_lock:;
 				rs, mc, i, LDAP_BACK_CONN_ISPRIV( &mc_curr ),
 				LDAP_BACK_DONTSEND, !new_conn );
 			if ( candidates[ i ].sr_err == LDAP_SUCCESS ) {
+				if ( new_conn && ( sendok & LDAP_BACK_BINDING ) ) {
+					LDAP_BACK_CONN_BINDING_SET( &mc->mc_conns[ i ] );
+				}
 				META_CANDIDATE_SET( &candidates[ i ] );
 				ncandidates++;
 	
@@ -1428,6 +1432,10 @@ retry_lock2:;
 			return NULL;
 		}
 
+		if ( new_conn && ( sendok & LDAP_BACK_BINDING ) ) {
+			LDAP_BACK_CONN_BINDING_SET( &mc->mc_conns[ i ] );
+		}
+
 		candidates[ i ].sr_err = LDAP_SUCCESS;
 		META_CANDIDATE_SET( &candidates[ i ] );
 		ncandidates++;