diff --git a/userspace/marsadm b/userspace/marsadm
index 70a71846..cdf829fb 100755
--- a/userspace/marsadm
+++ b/userspace/marsadm
@@ -1327,6 +1327,7 @@ sub primary_phase1 {
   return if ($force and $cmd eq "primary");
   my $old = _get_designated_primary($res);
   return if ($old eq $host and $cmd eq "primary");
+  return if ($old ne $host and $cmd eq "secondary");
   my $new = "(none)";
   return if $old eq $new;
   _primary_res($res, $new, $old);