diff --git a/dev/merge_spark_pr.py b/dev/merge_spark_pr.py
index 90aa542..a9bf692 100755
--- a/dev/merge_spark_pr.py
+++ b/dev/merge_spark_pr.py
@@ -566,6 +566,7 @@ def get_current_ref():
 
 def initialize_jira():
     global asf_jira
+    asf_jira = None
     jira_server = {"server": JIRA_API_BASE}
 
     if not JIRA_IMPORTED: