diff --git a/patroni/dcs/consul.py b/patroni/dcs/consul.py
index 747962c7..b80c0387 100644
--- a/patroni/dcs/consul.py
+++ b/patroni/dcs/consul.py
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ class Consul(AbstractDCS):
 
     def touch_member(self, data, **kwargs):
         cluster = self.cluster
-        member = cluster and ([m for m in cluster.members if m.name == self._name] or [None])[0]
+        member = cluster and cluster.get_member(self._name, fallback_to_leader=False)
         create_member = self.refresh_session()
         if member and (create_member or member.session != self._session):
             try:
@@ -223,6 +223,9 @@ class Consul(AbstractDCS):
 
     @catch_consul_errors
     def attempt_to_acquire_leader(self, permanent=False):
+        if not self._session and not permanent:
+            self.refresh_session()
+
         args = {} if permanent else {'acquire': self._session}
         ret = self.retry(self._client.kv.put, self.leader_path, self._name, **args)
         if not ret:
diff --git a/patroni/dcs/zookeeper.py b/patroni/dcs/zookeeper.py
index b8d79672..201602a9 100644
--- a/patroni/dcs/zookeeper.py
+++ b/patroni/dcs/zookeeper.py
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ class ZooKeeper(AbstractDCS):
 
     def touch_member(self, data, ttl=None, permanent=False):
         cluster = self.cluster
-        member = cluster and ([m for m in cluster.members if m.name == self._name] or [None])[0]
+        member = cluster and cluster.get_member(self._name, fallback_to_leader=False)
         data = data.encode('utf-8')
         if member and self._client.client_id is not None and member.session != self._client.client_id[0]:
             try:
diff --git a/patroni/ha.py b/patroni/ha.py
index c77fcd78..a552e800 100644
--- a/patroni/ha.py
+++ b/patroni/ha.py
@@ -165,7 +165,6 @@ class Ha(object):
             return message
         else:
             self.state_handler.promote()
-            self.touch_member()
             return promote_message
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -309,7 +308,6 @@ class Ha(object):
             self.state_handler.stop()
             self.state_handler.set_role('demoted')
             self.dcs.delete_leader()
-            self.touch_member()
             self.dcs.reset_cluster()
             sleep(2)  # Give a time to somebody to take the leader lock
             cluster = self.dcs.get_cluster()
@@ -581,10 +579,12 @@ class Ha(object):
         return None
 
     def _run_cycle(self):
+        dcs_failed = False
         try:
             self.load_cluster_from_dcs()
 
-            self.touch_member()
+            if not self.cluster.has_member(self.state_handler.name):
+                self.touch_member()
 
             # cluster has leader key but not initialize key
             if not (self.cluster.is_unlocked() or self.sysid_valid(self.cluster.initialize)) and self.has_lock():
@@ -645,6 +645,7 @@ class Ha(object):
                         self.state_handler.call_nowait(ACTION_ON_START)
                     self.state_handler.sync_replication_slots(self.cluster)
         except DCSError:
+            dcs_failed = True
             logger.error('Error communicating with DCS')
             if not self.is_paused() and self.state_handler.is_running() and self.state_handler.is_leader():
                 self.demote(delete_leader=False)
@@ -652,6 +653,9 @@ class Ha(object):
             return 'DCS is not accessible'
         except (psycopg2.Error, PostgresConnectionException):
             return 'Error communicating with PostgreSQL. Will try again later'
+        finally:
+            if not dcs_failed:
+                self.touch_member()
 
     def run_cycle(self):
         with self._async_executor:
diff --git a/tests/test_consul.py b/tests/test_consul.py
index 5d4d85a9..d176a6c8 100644
--- a/tests/test_consul.py
+++ b/tests/test_consul.py
@@ -99,6 +99,8 @@ class TestConsul(unittest.TestCase):
 
     @patch.object(consul.Consul.KV, 'put', Mock(return_value=False))
     def test_take_leader(self):
+        self.c.set_ttl(20)
+        self.c.refresh_session = Mock()
         self.c.take_leader()
 
     @patch.object(consul.Consul.KV, 'put', Mock(return_value=True))