diff --git a/vpp-snmp-agent.py b/vpp-snmp-agent.py
index 1049b4a..fa99c8f 100755
--- a/vpp-snmp-agent.py
+++ b/vpp-snmp-agent.py
@@ -96,9 +96,14 @@ class MyAgent(agentx.Agent):
 
     def update(self):
         try:
+            self.vpp.connect()
+            r = self.vpp.vpp.api.control_ping()
+            self.logger.debug(f"VPP API: {r}")
             self.vppstat.connect()
-        except:
-            self.logger.error("Could not connect to VPPStats segment")
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.logger.error(f"VPP API: {e}, retrying")
+            self.vppstat.disconnect()
+            self.vpp.disconnect()
             return False
 
         ds = agentx.DataSet()
diff --git a/vppapi.py b/vppapi.py
index bf86107..6a80788 100644
--- a/vppapi.py
+++ b/vppapi.py
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ class VPPApi:
         if not self.connected:
             return True
         self.vpp.disconnect()
+        self.iface_dict = None
+        self.lcp_dict = None
         self.connected = False
         return True