diff --git a/arangod/Replication/TailingSyncer.cpp b/arangod/Replication/TailingSyncer.cpp
index cb0ca25dfe..dd0d021707 100644
--- a/arangod/Replication/TailingSyncer.cpp
+++ b/arangod/Replication/TailingSyncer.cpp
@@ -1320,6 +1320,8 @@ retry:
                   "caught unknown exception during initial replication");
       }
     }
+      
+    abortOngoingTransactions();
 
     _applier->stop(res);
     return res;