diff --git a/examples/mqttc/mqttc_pub.c b/examples/mqttc/mqttc_pub.c
index a7d18c434..ea70a2d0c 100644
--- a/examples/mqttc/mqttc_pub.c
+++ b/examples/mqttc/mqttc_pub.c
@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ static int initserver(const FAR struct mqttc_cfg_s *cfg)
         }
 
       close(fd);
+      fd = -1;
     }
   while ((itr = itr->ai_next) != NULL);