diff --git a/hudi-client/hudi-client-common/src/main/java/org/apache/hudi/client/heartbeat/HoodieHeartbeatClient.java b/hudi-client/hudi-client-common/src/main/java/org/apache/hudi/client/heartbeat/HoodieHeartbeatClient.java
index 044e3441d..1122ced47 100644
--- a/hudi-client/hudi-client-common/src/main/java/org/apache/hudi/client/heartbeat/HoodieHeartbeatClient.java
+++ b/hudi-client/hudi-client-common/src/main/java/org/apache/hudi/client/heartbeat/HoodieHeartbeatClient.java
@@ -168,7 +168,6 @@ public class HoodieHeartbeatClient implements AutoCloseable, Serializable {
     ValidationUtils.checkArgument(heartbeat == null || !heartbeat.isHeartbeatStopped(), "Cannot restart a stopped heartbeat for " + instantTime);
     if (heartbeat != null && heartbeat.isHeartbeatStarted()) {
       // heartbeat already started, NO_OP
-      return;
     } else {
       Heartbeat newHeartbeat = new Heartbeat();
       newHeartbeat.setHeartbeatStarted(true);