diff --git a/src/net/http/transport.go b/src/net/http/transport.go
index 41fc6d0e62..41e02fc580 100644
--- a/src/net/http/transport.go
+++ b/src/net/http/transport.go
@@ -975,6 +975,7 @@ func (pc *persistConn) readLoop() {
 			// the underlying bufio reader.
 			select {
 			case <-rc.req.Cancel:
+				alive = false
 				pc.t.CancelRequest(rc.req)
 			case bodyEOF := <-waitForBodyRead:
 				pc.t.setReqCanceler(rc.req, nil) // before pc might return to idle pool