--- a/singleapplication.cpp
+++ b/singleapplication.cpp
@@ -149,8 +149,11 @@
     // Check if another instance can be started
     if( allowSecondary ){
         d->startSecondary();
-        if( d->options & Mode::SecondaryNotification ){
-            d->connectToPrimary( timeout, SingleApplicationPrivate::SecondaryInstance );
+        auto type = d->options & Mode::SecondaryNotification ? SingleApplicationPrivate::SecondaryInstance : SingleApplicationPrivate::InvalidConnection;
+        // If a connection to the primary instance cannot be established, become the primary instance.
+        if (!d->connectToPrimary(timeout, type)) {
+            d->initializeMemoryBlock();
+            d->startPrimary();
         }
         if( ! d->memory->unlock() ){
           qDebug() << "SingleApplication: Unable to unlock memory after secondary start.";