diff --git a/sql/sql_connect.cc b/sql/sql_connect.cc
index 5cb4cd87296..157e59c2446 100644
--- a/sql/sql_connect.cc
+++ b/sql/sql_connect.cc
@@ -832,7 +832,11 @@ bool init_new_connection_handler_thread()
     statistic_increment(connection_errors_internal, &LOCK_status);
     return 1;
   }
-  DBUG_EXECUTE_IF("simulate_failed_connection_1", return(1); );
+  DBUG_EXECUTE_IF("simulate_failed_connection_1",
+  {
+    DBUG_SET("-d,simulate_failed_connection_1");
+    return(1);
+  });
   return 0;
 }