diff --git a/src/backend/replication/walreceiver.c b/src/backend/replication/walreceiver.c
index cc3cf7d..84ffa91 100644
--- a/src/backend/replication/walreceiver.c
+++ b/src/backend/replication/walreceiver.c
@@ -1157,7 +1157,9 @@ XLogWalRcvSendReply(bool force, bool requestReply)
  * in case they don't have a watch.
  *
  * If the user disables feedback, send one final message to tell sender
- * to forget about the xmin on this standby.
+ * to forget about the xmin on this standby. We also send this message
+ * on first connect because a previous connection might have set xmin
+ * on a replication slot.
  */
 static void
 XLogWalRcvSendHSFeedback(bool immed)
@@ -1167,7 +1169,8 @@ XLogWalRcvSendHSFeedback(bool immed)
 	uint32		nextEpoch;
 	TransactionId xmin;
 	static TimestampTz sendTime = 0;
-	static bool master_has_standby_xmin = false;
+	/* initially true so we always send at least one feedback message */
+	static bool master_has_standby_xmin = true;
 
 	/*
 	 * If the user doesn't want status to be reported to the master, be sure
@@ -1192,16 +1195,6 @@ XLogWalRcvSendHSFeedback(bool immed)
 	}
 
 	/*
-	 * If Hot Standby is not yet active there is nothing to send. Check this
-	 * after the interval has expired to reduce number of calls.
-	 */
-	if (!HotStandbyActive())
-	{
-		Assert(!master_has_standby_xmin);
-		return;
-	}
-
-	/*
 	 * Make the expensive call to get the oldest xmin once we are certain
 	 * everything else has been checked.
 	 */