diff --git a/src/etc/rc.newwanipv6 b/src/etc/rc.newwanipv6
index 7c3831a10..403b6b300 100755
--- a/src/etc/rc.newwanipv6
+++ b/src/etc/rc.newwanipv6
@@ -63,11 +63,11 @@ $interface_descr = convert_friendly_interface_to_friendly_descr($interface);
 /* make sure only one script runs at a time beyond this point */
 $fp = fopen('/tmp/newwanipv6_' . $argument, 'a+');
 if (!$fp || !flock($fp, LOCK_EX | LOCK_NB)) {
-    if ($force == 'yes') {
-        log_msg("Lost a forceful reload on {$interface_descr}[{$interface}]) due to previous lock", LOG_WARNING);
+    /* let go if not a forceful reload, otherwise block and wait */
+    if ($force != 'yes' || (!$fp && !flock($fp, LOCK_EX))) {
+        fclose($fp);
+        return;
     }
-    fclose($fp);
-    return;
 }
 
 /* wait for DAD to complete to avoid discarding tentative address */