diff --git a/proxy/http/HttpTunnel.h b/proxy/http/HttpTunnel.h
index 3d80d2b1540..d73fc0c48fc 100644
--- a/proxy/http/HttpTunnel.h
+++ b/proxy/http/HttpTunnel.h
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@ HttpTunnel::has_cache_writer() const
 inline bool
 HttpTunnel::has_consumer_besides_client() const
 {
-  bool res = true;
+  bool res = false; // case of no consumers
 
   for (const auto &consumer : consumers) {
     if (!consumer.alive) {