diff --git a/patroni/ha.py b/patroni/ha.py
index 28f7b696..fa873977 100644
--- a/patroni/ha.py
+++ b/patroni/ha.py
@@ -346,6 +346,9 @@ class Ha(object):
         self.dcs.manual_failover('', '', index=self.cluster.failover.index)
 
     def process_unhealthy_cluster(self):
+        if self.is_paused():
+            return "No action due to paused state"
+
         if self.is_healthiest_node():
             if self.acquire_lock():
                 if self.cluster.failover:
diff --git a/patroni/postgresql.py b/patroni/postgresql.py
index df2279f1..31f45148 100644
--- a/patroni/postgresql.py
+++ b/patroni/postgresql.py
@@ -900,7 +900,7 @@ $$""".format(name, ' '.join(options)), name, password, password)
                 for slot in set(self._replication_slots) - set(slots):
                     self.query("""SELECT pg_drop_replication_slot(%s)
                                    WHERE EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM pg_replication_slots
-                                   WHERE slot_name = %s)""", slot, slot)
+                                   WHERE slot_name = %s AND NOT active)""", slot, slot)
 
                 # create new slots
                 for slot in set(slots) - set(self._replication_slots):