diff --git a/rclpy/src/rclpy/signal_handler.cpp b/rclpy/src/rclpy/signal_handler.cpp
index ec0f12bb8..9c08e61c2 100644
--- a/rclpy/src/rclpy/signal_handler.cpp
+++ b/rclpy/src/rclpy/signal_handler.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ std::thread g_deferred_signal_handling_thread;
 
 // relying on python GIL for safety
 std::atomic<bool> g_signal_handler_installed = false;
-std::atomic<bool> g_is_sigterm;
 
 void
 notify_signal_handler() noexcept
@@ -141,9 +140,7 @@ setup_deferred_signal_handler()
         wait_for_signal();
         if (g_signal_handler_installed.load()) {
           trigger_guard_conditions();
-          if (g_is_sigterm.exchange(false)) {
-            rclpy::shutdown_contexts();
-          }
+          rclpy::shutdown_contexts();
         }
       }
     });
@@ -328,7 +325,6 @@ DEFINE_SIGNAL_HANDLER(rclpy_sigterm_handler)
     // Try to unregister again.
     unregister_sigint_signal_handler();
   } else {
-    g_is_sigterm.exchange(true);
     notify_signal_handler();
   }
 }