diff --git a/confluent_client/confluent/client.py b/confluent_client/confluent/client.py
index aa30e6a1..07a85423 100644
--- a/confluent_client/confluent/client.py
+++ b/confluent_client/confluent/client.py
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ import confluent.tlvdata as tlvdata
 SO_PASSCRED = 16
 
 
+inflight = False
+
 def _parseserver(string):
     if ']:' in string:
         server, port = string[1:].split(']:')
@@ -226,6 +228,14 @@ def send_request(operation, path, server, parameters=None):
     :param server: The socket to send data over
     :param parameters:  Parameters if any to send along with the request
     """
+    global inflight
+    if inflight:
+        # calling code failed to complete a transaction, flush and discard
+        # their unused data
+        result = tlvdata.recv(server)
+        while '_requestdone' not in result:
+            result = tlvdata.recv(server)
+    inflight = True
     payload = {'operation': operation, 'path': path}
     if parameters is not None:
         payload['parameters'] = parameters
@@ -234,6 +244,7 @@ def send_request(operation, path, server, parameters=None):
     while '_requestdone' not in result:
         yield result
         result = tlvdata.recv(server)
+    inflight = False