diff --git a/bookkeeper-server/src/main/java/org/apache/bookkeeper/replication/ReplicationWorker.java b/bookkeeper-server/src/main/java/org/apache/bookkeeper/replication/ReplicationWorker.java
index 19248631bc1..48e898ff619 100644
--- a/bookkeeper-server/src/main/java/org/apache/bookkeeper/replication/ReplicationWorker.java
+++ b/bookkeeper-server/src/main/java/org/apache/bookkeeper/replication/ReplicationWorker.java
@@ -528,9 +528,11 @@ private boolean rereplicate(long ledgerIdToReplicate) throws InterruptedExceptio
             return false;
         } catch (BKNotEnoughBookiesException e) {
             logBKExceptionAndReleaseLedger(e, ledgerIdToReplicate);
+            deferLedgerLockRelease = true;
             throw e;
         } catch (BKException e) {
             logBKExceptionAndReleaseLedger(e, ledgerIdToReplicate);
+            deferLedgerLockRelease = true;
             return false;
         } finally {
             // we make sure we always release the underreplicated lock, unless we decided to defer it. If the lock has