diff --git a/patroni/ha.py b/patroni/ha.py
index 0aa9b9d0..e4b68fcf 100644
--- a/patroni/ha.py
+++ b/patroni/ha.py
@@ -147,8 +147,8 @@ class Ha(object):
         self.cluster = Cluster.empty()
         self.global_config = self.patroni.config.get_global_config(None)
         self.old_cluster = Cluster.empty()
-        self._is_leader = False
-        self._is_leader_lock = RLock()
+        self._leader_expiry = 0
+        self._leader_expiry_lock = RLock()
         self._failsafe = Failsafe(patroni.dcs)
         self._was_paused = False
         self._leader_timeline = None
@@ -193,12 +193,20 @@ class Ha(object):
         return self.global_config.is_standby_cluster
 
     def is_leader(self) -> bool:
-        with self._is_leader_lock:
-            return self._is_leader > time.time()
+        """:returns: `True` if the current node is the leader, based on expiration set when it last held the key."""
+        with self._leader_expiry_lock:
+            return self._leader_expiry > time.time()
 
     def set_is_leader(self, value: bool) -> None:
-        with self._is_leader_lock:
-            self._is_leader = time.time() + self.dcs.ttl if value else 0
+        """Update the current node's view of it's own leadership status.
+
+        Will update the expiry timestamp to match the dcs ttl if setting leadership to true,
+        otherwise will set the expiry to the past to immediately invalidate.
+
+        :param value: is the current node the leader.
+        """
+        with self._leader_expiry_lock:
+            self._leader_expiry = time.time() + self.dcs.ttl if value else 0
 
     def sync_mode_is_active(self) -> bool:
         """Check whether synchronous replication is requested and already active.