diff --git a/irc/server.go b/irc/server.go
index 21712fce..8bd8bda0 100644
--- a/irc/server.go
+++ b/irc/server.go
@@ -437,6 +437,7 @@ func (server *Server) tryRegister(c *Client) {
 	nickAssigned := performNickChange(server, c, c, preregNick, rb)
 	rb.Send()
 	if !nickAssigned {
+		c.SetPreregNick("")
 		return
 	}