diff --git a/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c b/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c
index c11eb98a8e81..e81348e865c6 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgp_zebra.c
@@ -3585,7 +3585,8 @@ void bgp_if_init(void)
 
 static void bgp_start_label_manager(struct event *start)
 {
-	if (!bgp_zebra_label_manager_connect())
+	if (!bgp_zebra_label_manager_ready() &&
+	    !bgp_zebra_label_manager_connect())
 		event_add_timer(bm->master, bgp_start_label_manager, NULL, 1,
 				&bm->t_bgp_start_label_manager);
 }