diff --git a/jetty-client/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/client/MultiplexConnectionPool.java b/jetty-client/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/client/MultiplexConnectionPool.java
index a048629095cc..43f124e85a87 100644
--- a/jetty-client/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/client/MultiplexConnectionPool.java
+++ b/jetty-client/src/main/java/org/eclipse/jetty/client/MultiplexConnectionPool.java
@@ -57,10 +57,10 @@ public MultiplexConnectionPool(HttpDestination destination, int maxConnections,
     }
 
     @Override
-    public Connection acquire()
+    protected Connection acquire(boolean create)
     {
         Connection connection = activate();
-        if (connection == null)
+        if (connection == null && create)
         {
             int queuedRequests = getHttpDestination().getQueuedRequestCount();
             int maxMultiplex = getMaxMultiplex();