diff --git a/veilid-core/src/network_manager/mod.rs b/veilid-core/src/network_manager/mod.rs
index 504b27fc..b45e96c6 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/network_manager/mod.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/network_manager/mod.rs
@@ -760,6 +760,9 @@ impl NetworkManager {
                     Some(nr) => nr,
                 };
 
+                // Remove any 'last connection' to this peer to ensure we start a new connection with the reverse connection
+                peer_nr.clear_last_connection();
+
                 // Make a reverse connection to the peer and send the receipt to it
                 rpc.rpc_call_return_receipt(Destination::Direct(peer_nr), None, receipt)
                     .await
@@ -783,6 +786,9 @@ impl NetworkManager {
                     Some(nr) => nr,
                 };
 
+                // Remove any 'last connection' to this peer to ensure we start a new connection with the hole punch
+                peer_nr.clear_last_connection();
+
                 // Get the udp direct dialinfo for the hole punch
                 let outbound_dif = self
                     .get_outbound_dial_info_filter(RoutingDomain::PublicInternet)
diff --git a/veilid-core/src/routing_table/node_ref.rs b/veilid-core/src/routing_table/node_ref.rs
index 31935706..55bce1ef 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/routing_table/node_ref.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/routing_table/node_ref.rs
@@ -263,6 +263,10 @@ impl NodeRef {
         Some(last_connection)
     }
 
+    pub fn clear_last_connection(&self) {
+        self.operate_mut(|e| e.clear_last_connection())
+    }
+
     pub fn has_any_dial_info(&self) -> bool {
         self.operate(|e| {
             e.node_info()