diff --git a/sqlitecluster/SQLiteNode.cpp b/sqlitecluster/SQLiteNode.cpp
index 356333e73..e52bfa43c 100644
--- a/sqlitecluster/SQLiteNode.cpp
+++ b/sqlitecluster/SQLiteNode.cpp
@@ -405,12 +405,12 @@ int SQLiteNode::getPriority() const {
 }
 
 void SQLiteNode::setShutdownPriority() {
-    SINFO("Setting priority to 1, will stop leading if required.");
+    SINFO("Setting priority to 1.");
     unique_lock<decltype(_stateMutex)> uniqueLock(_stateMutex);
     _priority = 1;
 
     if (_state == SQLiteNodeState::LEADING) {
-        _changeState(SQLiteNodeState::STANDINGDOWN);
+        SINFO("Will stop leading.");
     } else {
         SData state("STATE");
         state["StateChangeCount"] = to_string(_stateChangeCount);
@@ -591,6 +591,7 @@ bool SQLiteNode::update() {
         // If no peers, we're the leader, unless we're shutting down.
         if (_peerList.empty()) {
             SHMMM("No peers configured, jumping to LEADING");
+            _priority = _originalPriority;
             _changeState(SQLiteNodeState::LEADING);
 
             // Run `update` again immediately.
@@ -1124,7 +1125,9 @@ bool SQLiteNode::update() {
         // Check to see if we should stand down. We'll finish any outstanding commits before we actually do.
         if (_state == SQLiteNodeState::LEADING) {
             string standDownReason;
-            if (_isShuttingDown) {
+            if (_priority == 1) {
+                standDownReason = "Priority changed to 1, standing down.";
+            } else if (_isShuttingDown) {
                 // Graceful shutdown. Set priority 1 and stand down so we'll re-connect to the new leader and finish
                 // up our commands.
                 standDownReason = "Shutting down, setting priority 1 and STANDINGDOWN.";