A fuel dispensing nozzle includes a main body that receives fuel from a fuel source for dispensing the fuel into a fuel tank, an operating lever associated with the main body, a locking device, and a locking device release mechanism. The operating lever is adapted to be actuated by an operator to dispense fuel from the nozzle. The locking device is associated with the operating lever for maintaining the operating lever in a hold open position such that the nozzle continues to dispense fuel without continued actuation of the operating lever by the operator. The locking device release mechanism is associated with the locking device and is adapted to release the operating lever from the hold open position upon the nozzle being stowed in an associated fuel pump cradle.