diff --git a/src/plugins/autotest/testrunner.cpp b/src/plugins/autotest/testrunner.cpp
index ef92b911dc8..0b774c6c7a5 100644
--- a/src/plugins/autotest/testrunner.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/autotest/testrunner.cpp
@@ -558,8 +558,9 @@ void TestRunner::debugTests()
                 outputreader, &QObject::deleteLater);
     }
 
-    connect(this, &TestRunner::requestStopTestRun, runControl,
-            &ProjectExplorer::RunControl::initiateStop);
+    m_stopDebugConnect = connect(this, &TestRunner::requestStopTestRun,
+                                 runControl, &ProjectExplorer::RunControl::initiateStop);
+
     connect(runControl, &ProjectExplorer::RunControl::stopped, this, &TestRunner::onFinished);
     ProjectExplorer::ProjectExplorerPlugin::startRunControl(runControl);
 }
@@ -618,6 +619,7 @@ void TestRunner::onFinished()
     qDeleteAll(m_selectedTests);
     m_selectedTests.clear();
 
+    disconnect(m_stopDebugConnect);
     disconnect(m_targetConnect);
     m_fakeFutureInterface = nullptr;
     m_executingTests = false;
diff --git a/src/plugins/autotest/testrunner.h b/src/plugins/autotest/testrunner.h
index 11fc9815d6f..ae4fc7c0d52 100644
--- a/src/plugins/autotest/testrunner.h
+++ b/src/plugins/autotest/testrunner.h
@@ -99,6 +99,8 @@ private:
 
     // temporarily used if building before running is necessary
     QMetaObject::Connection m_buildConnect;
+    // temporarily used when debugging
+    QMetaObject::Connection m_stopDebugConnect;
     // temporarily used for handling of switching the current target
     QMetaObject::Connection m_targetConnect;
 };