diff --git a/src/gen/db/write.py b/src/gen/db/write.py
index 8907cbb2e..e8c96f315 100644
--- a/src/gen/db/write.py
+++ b/src/gen/db/write.py
@@ -538,6 +538,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
                 self.gramps_upgrade(callback)
             else:
                 self.__close_early()
+                clear_lock_file(name)
                 raise DbUpgradeRequiredError()
 
         if callback: