diff --git a/operator-framework-junit/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/junit/LocallyRunOperatorExtension.java b/operator-framework-junit/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/junit/LocallyRunOperatorExtension.java
index c4ed4c9e66..cd26234054 100644
--- a/operator-framework-junit/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/junit/LocallyRunOperatorExtension.java
+++ b/operator-framework-junit/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/junit/LocallyRunOperatorExtension.java
@@ -365,7 +365,11 @@ protected void after(ExtensionContext context) {
       iterator.remove();
     }
 
-    kubernetesClient.close();
+    // if the client is used for infra client, we should not close it
+    // either test or operator should close this client
+    if (getKubernetesClient() != getInfrastructureKubernetesClient()) {
+      kubernetesClient.close();
+    }
 
     try {
       this.operator.stop();