diff --git a/src/detect-engine.c b/src/detect-engine.c
index c0206906a8..e3ad221ac4 100644
--- a/src/detect-engine.c
+++ b/src/detect-engine.c
@@ -88,6 +88,9 @@ static void *DetectEngineLiveRuleSwap(void *arg)
     /* block usr2.  usr2 to be handled by the main thread only */
     UtilSignalBlock(SIGUSR2);
 
+    /* release TmThreadSpawn */
+    TmThreadsSetFlag(tv_local, THV_INIT_DONE);
+
     ConfDeInit();
     ConfInit();