diff --git a/java/jdbc/src/main/java/com/flipkart/vitess/jdbc/VitessConnection.java b/java/jdbc/src/main/java/com/flipkart/vitess/jdbc/VitessConnection.java
index 9f2814f11a7..c4729d8e0d3 100644
--- a/java/jdbc/src/main/java/com/flipkart/vitess/jdbc/VitessConnection.java
+++ b/java/jdbc/src/main/java/com/flipkart/vitess/jdbc/VitessConnection.java
@@ -215,11 +215,11 @@ public boolean isClosed() throws SQLException {
 
     public DatabaseMetaData getMetaData() throws SQLException {
         checkOpen();
-        if (null != databaseMetaData) {
+        if (!metadataNullOrClosed()) {
             return databaseMetaData;
         } else {
             synchronized (VitessConnection.class) {
-                if (null == databaseMetaData) {
+                if (metadataNullOrClosed()) {
                     String dbEngine = initializeDBProperties();
                     if (dbEngine.equals("mariadb")) {
                         databaseMetaData = new VitessMariaDBDatabaseMetadata(this);
@@ -232,6 +232,10 @@ public DatabaseMetaData getMetaData() throws SQLException {
         }
     }
 
+    private boolean metadataNullOrClosed() throws SQLException {
+        return null == databaseMetaData || null == databaseMetaData.getConnection() || databaseMetaData.getConnection().isClosed();
+    }
+
     public boolean isReadOnly() throws SQLException {
         checkOpen();
         return readOnly;
@@ -786,7 +790,7 @@ private String initializeDBProperties() throws SQLException {
         HashMap<String, String> dbVariables = new HashMap<>();
         String dbEngine = null;
 
-        if (null == databaseMetaData) {
+        if (metadataNullOrClosed()) {
             String versionValue;
             ResultSet resultSet = null;
             VitessStatement vitessStatement = new VitessStatement(this);