Index: src/main/java/org/apache/log4j/AsyncAppender.java
===================================================================
--- src/main/java/org/apache/log4j/AsyncAppender.java	(revision 1227156)
+++ src/main/java/org/apache/log4j/AsyncAppender.java	(working copy)
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@
     //   if dispatcher thread has died then
     //      append subsequent events synchronously
     //   See bug 23021
-    if ((dispatcher == null) || !dispatcher.isAlive() || (bufferSize <= 0)) {
+    if (bufferSize <= 0) {
       synchronized (appenders) {
         appenders.appendLoopOnAppenders(event);
       }
@@ -177,6 +177,10 @@
           }
 
           break;
+        } else if (!dispatcher.isAlive()) {
+          buffer.clear();
+          bufferSize = -1;
+          break;
         }
 
         //