diff --git a/dbus/dbus-server.c b/dbus/dbus-server.c
index 3243af6c..607eae94 100644
--- a/dbus/dbus-server.c
+++ b/dbus/dbus-server.c
@@ -685,6 +685,7 @@ dbus_server_listen (const char     *address,
     }
   else
     {
+      dbus_error_free (&first_connect_error);
       _DBUS_ASSERT_ERROR_IS_CLEAR (error);
       return server;
     }