diff --git a/pkg/gotd/pool/pool.go b/pkg/gotd/pool/pool.go
index 449c856f2..437b71e78 100644
--- a/pkg/gotd/pool/pool.go
+++ b/pkg/gotd/pool/pool.go
@@ -207,11 +207,9 @@ retry:
 	case <-c.stuck.Ready():
 		c.log.Debug("Some connection dead, try to create new connection, cancel waiting")
 
-		c.freeReq.delete(key)
-		select {
-		default:
-		case conn, ok := <-ch:
-			if ok && conn != nil {
+		if !c.freeReq.delete(key) {
+			// transfer took the request, so a connection is on its way and must not be dropped.
+			if conn, ok := <-ch; ok && conn != nil {
 				return conn, nil
 			}
 		}
@@ -224,11 +222,10 @@ retry:
 	}
 
 	// Executed only if at least one of context is Done.
-	c.freeReq.delete(key)
-	select {
-	default:
-	case conn, ok := <-ch:
-		if ok && conn != nil {
+	if !c.freeReq.delete(key) {
+		// transfer took the request, so a connection is on its way and must be given back to the
+		// pool instead of being left in the channel.
+		if conn, ok := <-ch; ok && conn != nil {
 			c.release(conn)
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/gotd/pool/req_map.go b/pkg/gotd/pool/req_map.go
index 38e6af10a..f5592becb 100644
--- a/pkg/gotd/pool/req_map.go
+++ b/pkg/gotd/pool/req_map.go
@@ -56,8 +56,12 @@ func (r *reqMap) transfer(c *poolConn) bool {
 	return true
 }
 
-func (r *reqMap) delete(key reqKey) {
+// delete removes the pending request. It returns false if transfer already claimed the request,
+// which means a connection is about to be sent to the request channel.
+func (r *reqMap) delete(key reqKey) bool {
 	r.mux.Lock()
+	_, ok := r.m[key]
 	delete(r.m, key)
 	r.mux.Unlock()
+	return ok
 }