diff --git a/ipapython/dogtag.py b/ipapython/dogtag.py
index 71de96dc6..0436d5f46 100644
--- a/ipapython/dogtag.py
+++ b/ipapython/dogtag.py
@@ -265,7 +265,8 @@ def https_request(host, port, url, secdir, password, nickname,
     """
 
     def connection_factory(host, port):
-        conn = nsslib.NSSConnection(host, port, dbdir=secdir,
+        no_init = secdir == nsslib.current_dbdir
+        conn = nsslib.NSSConnection(host, port, dbdir=secdir, no_init=no_init,
                                     tls_version_min=api.env.tls_version_min,
                                     tls_version_max=api.env.tls_version_max)
         conn.set_debuglevel(0)