diff --git a/frigate/comms/mqtt.py b/frigate/comms/mqtt.py
index 9279b4388..8388d79dd 100644
--- a/frigate/comms/mqtt.py
+++ b/frigate/comms/mqtt.py
@@ -199,6 +199,7 @@ class MqttClient(Communicator):
                     "Unable to connect to MQTT server: Connection refused. Error code: "
                     + reason_code.getName()
                 )
+            return
 
         self.connected = True
         logger.debug("MQTT connected")