diff --git a/patroni/ha.py b/patroni/ha.py
index 2080e1ed..5f3a00cc 100644
--- a/patroni/ha.py
+++ b/patroni/ha.py
@@ -434,7 +434,8 @@ class Ha(object):
             else:
                 # Either there is no connection to DCS or someone else acquired the lock
                 logger.error('failed to update leader lock')
-                self.load_cluster_from_dcs()
+                self.demote(delete_leader=False)
+                return 'demoted self because failed to update leader lock in DCS'
         else:
             logger.info('does not have lock')
         return self.follow('demoting self because i do not have the lock and i was a leader',
diff --git a/tests/test_ha.py b/tests/test_ha.py
index 61d65718..f62a6f16 100644
--- a/tests/test_ha.py
+++ b/tests/test_ha.py
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ class TestHa(unittest.TestCase):
         self.ha.cluster.is_unlocked = false
         self.ha.has_lock = true
         self.ha.update_lock = false
-        self.assertEquals(self.ha.run_cycle(), 'demoting self because i do not have the lock and i was a leader')
+        self.assertEquals(self.ha.run_cycle(), 'demoted self because failed to update leader lock in DCS')
 
     def test_follow(self):
         self.ha.cluster.is_unlocked = false