diff --git a/openbsc/src/handover_logic.c b/openbsc/src/handover_logic.c
index bc9d68e..2cef2c4 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/handover_logic.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/handover_logic.c
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@
 	if (rc < 0) {
 		LOGP(DHO, LOGL_ERROR, "could not activate channel\n");
 		new_lchan->conn->ho_lchan = NULL;
+		new_lchan->conn = NULL;
 		talloc_free(ho);
 		lchan_free(new_lchan);
 		return rc;