diff -u vpopmail-5.4.13.org/vmysql.c vpopmail-5.4.13/vmysql.c
--- vpopmail-5.4.13.org/vmysql.c        2004-12-16 23:57:34.000000000 +0800
+++ vpopmail-5.4.13/vmysql.c    2006-03-31 09:42:45.000000000 +0800
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@
 {
     unsigned int timeout = 2;

-    if ( update_open != 0 ) return(0);
+    if ( update_open && (mysql_ping(&mysql_update)==0) ) return(0);
     update_open = 1;

     verrori = load_connection_info();
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@
 int vauth_open_read()
 {
     /* if we are already connected, just return */
-    if ( read_open != 0 ) return(0);
+    if ( read_open && (mysql_ping(&mysql_read)==0) ) return(0);
     read_open = 1;

     /* connect to mysql and set the database */