diff --git a/src/routing_layer/topo_group_connect.c b/src/routing_layer/topo_group_connect.c
index ddb957d3..6f572be6 100644
--- a/src/routing_layer/topo_group_connect.c
+++ b/src/routing_layer/topo_group_connect.c
@@ -260,8 +260,16 @@ static void tgc_phase1_timeout(void* arg) {
     }
     u_free(ids);
 
-    for (int i = 0; i < gc->handle_count; i++) { conn_mgr_close(gc->handles[i]); gc->handles[i] = NULL; }
-    gc->handle_count = 0;
+    int remaining = 0;
+    for (int i = 0; i < gc->handle_count; i++) {
+        struct CONN_MGR_HANDLE* h = gc->handles[i];
+        if (h && conn_mgr_get_conn(h) != NULL) {
+            gc->handles[remaining++] = h;
+        } else {
+            if (h) conn_mgr_close(h);
+        }
+    }
+    gc->handle_count = remaining;
 
     if (gc->connected_count > 0) {
         DEBUG_INFO(DEBUG_CATEGORY_BGP, "%s: Phase1 done — %d connected, skipping Phase 2", TGC_ID, gc->connected_count);