diff --git a/confluent_server/confluent/collective/manager.py b/confluent_server/confluent/collective/manager.py
index 03cf6574..e457da4d 100644
--- a/confluent_server/confluent/collective/manager.py
+++ b/confluent_server/confluent/collective/manager.py
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ def connect_to_leader(cert=None, name=None, leader=None):
         raise Exception(keydata['error'])
     if follower is not None:
         follower.kill()
+        follower = None
     colldata = tlvdata.recv(remote)
     globaldata = tlvdata.recv(remote)
     dbsize = tlvdata.recv(remote)['dbsize']
@@ -133,6 +134,12 @@ def handle_connection(connection, cert, request, local=False):
         if not local:
             return
         if 'invite' == operation:
+            if follower:
+                tlvdata.send(connection,
+                    {'collective':
+                         {'error': 'Invite can only be run from current '
+                                   'leader ({0})'.format(currentleader)}})
+                return
             #TODO(jjohnson2): Cannot do the invitation if not the head node, the certificate hand-carrying
             #can't work in such a case.
             name = request['name']
@@ -266,6 +273,10 @@ def retire_as_leader():
 
 def become_leader(connection):
     global currentleader
+    global follower
+    if follower:
+        follower.kill()
+        follower = None
     currentleader = connection.getsockname()[0]
     skipaddr = connection.getpeername()[0]
     myname = get_myname()
@@ -287,6 +298,10 @@ def startup():
     eventlet.spawn_n(start_collective)
 
 def start_collective():
+    global follower
+    if follower:
+        follower.kill()
+        follower = None
     myname = get_myname()
     for member in cfm.list_collective():
         if member == myname: