diff --git a/src/openvpn/proxy.c b/src/openvpn/proxy.c
index fdc73b4a..de0188a9 100644
--- a/src/openvpn/proxy.c
+++ b/src/openvpn/proxy.c
@@ -252,10 +252,25 @@ username_password_as_base64(const struct http_proxy_info *p,
     return (const char *)make_base64_string((const uint8_t *)BSTR(&out), gc);
 }
 
+static void
+clear_user_pass_http(void)
+{
+    purge_user_pass(&static_proxy_user_pass, true);
+}
+
 static void
 get_user_pass_http(struct http_proxy_info *p, const bool force)
 {
-    if (!static_proxy_user_pass.defined || force)
+    /*
+     * in case of forced (re)load, make sure the static storage is set as
+     * undefined, otherwise get_user_pass() won't try to load any credential
+     */
+    if (force)
+    {
+        clear_user_pass_http();
+    }
+
+    if (!static_proxy_user_pass.defined)
     {
         unsigned int flags = GET_USER_PASS_MANAGEMENT;
         if (p->queried_creds)
@@ -274,11 +289,6 @@ get_user_pass_http(struct http_proxy_info *p, const bool force)
         p->up = static_proxy_user_pass;
     }
 }
-static void
-clear_user_pass_http(void)
-{
-    purge_user_pass(&static_proxy_user_pass, true);
-}
 
 #if 0
 /* function only used in #if 0 debug statement */