diff --git a/src/bin/pg_basebackup/pg_receivewal.c b/src/bin/pg_basebackup/pg_receivewal.c
index 4474273daf..9d1843728d 100644
--- a/src/bin/pg_basebackup/pg_receivewal.c
+++ b/src/bin/pg_basebackup/pg_receivewal.c
@@ -449,8 +449,6 @@ StreamLog(void)
 
 	FreeWalDirectoryMethod();
 	pg_free(stream.walmethod);
-
-	conn = NULL;
 }
 
 /*