diff --git a/userspace/marsadm b/userspace/marsadm
index 72edf2d6..9283cd26 100755
--- a/userspace/marsadm
+++ b/userspace/marsadm
@@ -1884,6 +1884,7 @@ sub primary_phase1 {
   return if ($old eq $host and $cmd eq "primary");
   my $new = "(none)";
   return if $old eq $new;
+  try_to_avoid_splitbrain(@_) if (!$force and $cmd eq "primary");
   _primary_res($res, $new, $old);
 }