diff --git a/internal/pool/pool.go b/internal/pool/pool.go
index 88e9e3d9..2dedca05 100644
--- a/internal/pool/pool.go
+++ b/internal/pool/pool.go
@@ -684,6 +684,13 @@ func (p *ConnPool) putConn(ctx context.Context, cn *Conn, freeTurn bool) {
 		// Using inline Release() method for better performance (avoids pointer dereference)
 		transitionedToIdle := cn.Release()
 
+		if !transitionedToIdle {
+			// Fast path failed - hook might have changed state (e.g., to UNUSABLE for handoff)
+			// Keep the state set by the hook and pool the connection anyway
+			currentState := cn.GetStateMachine().GetState()
+			internal.Logger.Printf(ctx, "Connection state changed by hook to %v, pooling as-is", currentState)
+		}
+
 		// unusable conns are expected to become usable at some point (background process is reconnecting them)
 		// put them at the opposite end of the queue
 		// Optimization: if we just transitioned to IDLE, we know it's usable - skip the check