diff --git a/src/calibre/devices/smart_device_app/driver.py b/src/calibre/devices/smart_device_app/driver.py
index 945196b50f..91a14fbb8b 100644
--- a/src/calibre/devices/smart_device_app/driver.py
+++ b/src/calibre/devices/smart_device_app/driver.py
@@ -1799,6 +1799,7 @@ class SMART_DEVICE_APP(DeviceConfig, DevicePlugin):
     @synchronous('sync_lock')
     def startup(self):
         self.listen_socket = None
+        self.is_connected = False
 
     @synchronous('sync_lock')
     def startup_on_demand(self):