diff --git a/roles/ceph-rgw/tasks/multisite/secondary.yml b/roles/ceph-rgw/tasks/multisite/secondary.yml
index 920418955..4537bc7a0 100644
--- a/roles/ceph-rgw/tasks/multisite/secondary.yml
+++ b/roles/ceph-rgw/tasks/multisite/secondary.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,17 @@
 ---
+- name: ensure connection to primary cluster from mon
+  uri:
+    url: "{{ item.endpoint }}"
+  delegate_to: "{{ groups[mon_group_name][0] }}"
+  run_once: true
+  loop: "{{ secondary_realms }}"
+  when: secondary_realms is defined
+
+- name: ensure connection to primary cluster from rgw
+  uri:
+    url: "{{ item.endpoint }}"
+  loop: "{{ rgw_instances }}"
+
 - name: fetch the realm(s)
   command: "{{ container_exec_cmd }} radosgw-admin realm pull --cluster={{ cluster }} --rgw-realm={{ item.realm }} --url={{ item.endpoint }} --access-key={{ item.system_access_key }} --secret={{ item.system_secret_key }}"
   delegate_to: "{{ groups[mon_group_name][0] }}"