diff --git a/src/server/xserver_zmq_default.cpp b/src/server/xserver_zmq_default.cpp
index fc6954d..11945d4 100644
--- a/src/server/xserver_zmq_default.cpp
+++ b/src/server/xserver_zmq_default.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ namespace xeus
     {
         start_publisher_thread();
         start_heartbeat_thread();
-        set_request_stop(false);
 
         publish(std::move(msg), channel::SHELL);
 
diff --git a/src/server/xserver_zmq_impl.cpp b/src/server/xserver_zmq_impl.cpp
index fde9c48..4dee26c 100644
--- a/src/server/xserver_zmq_impl.cpp
+++ b/src/server/xserver_zmq_impl.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace xeus
         , m_hb_thread()
         , m_messenger(std::move(listener))
         , m_error_handler(eh)
-        , m_request_stop(true)
+        , m_request_stop(false)
     {
         init_socket(m_shell, config.m_transport, config.m_ip, config.m_shell_port);
         init_socket(m_controller, config.m_transport, config.m_ip, config.m_control_port);