diff --git a/src/mongo_client.ts b/src/mongo_client.ts
index 890cba90d9..78eb626b30 100644
--- a/src/mongo_client.ts
+++ b/src/mongo_client.ts
@@ -450,9 +450,7 @@ export class MongoClient extends TypedEventEmitter<MongoClientEvents> {
 
     return maybeCallback(async () => {
       try {
-        if (this.connectionLock) return await this.connectionLock;
-
-        this.connectionLock = this._connect();
+        this.connectionLock = this.connectionLock ?? this._connect();
         await this.connectionLock;
         return this;
       } finally {