diff --git a/src/backend/replication/syncrep.c b/src/backend/replication/syncrep.c
index 6463420cd85..d475e0383d4 100644
--- a/src/backend/replication/syncrep.c
+++ b/src/backend/replication/syncrep.c
@@ -399,6 +399,7 @@ SyncRepReleaseWaiters(void)
 		volatile WalSnd *walsnd = &walsndctl->walsnds[i];
 
 		if (walsnd->pid != 0 &&
+			walsnd->state == WALSNDSTATE_STREAMING &&
 			walsnd->sync_standby_priority > 0 &&
 			(priority == 0 ||
 			 priority > walsnd->sync_standby_priority))