As disclosed herein a method, executed by a computer, includes determining, by a processor, that a first node of a HA cluster is unable to communicate with a second node of the HA cluster, and initiating, by a processor, by the first node, a handshake operation with a connected client, wherein the handshake operation comprises requesting that the client determine a status of the second node and receiving, from the client, a response indicating the status of the second node. The method further includes accepting, by a processor, new requests in response to determining that the second node is unavailable, and requesting, by a processor, restoration of communications between the first node and the second node in response to determining that the second node is available. A computer system and computer program product corresponding to the above method are also disclosed herein.