diff --git a/src/libutil/pool.hh b/src/libutil/pool.hh
index 3c3dd4b07..20df21948 100644
--- a/src/libutil/pool.hh
+++ b/src/libutil/pool.hh
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ public:
         } catch (...) {
             auto state_(state.lock());
             state_->inUse--;
+            wakeup.notify_one();
             throw;
         }
     }