diff --git a/src/backend/distributed/metadata/node_metadata.c b/src/backend/distributed/metadata/node_metadata.c
index 4e728f9ed..39edfec1d 100644
--- a/src/backend/distributed/metadata/node_metadata.c
+++ b/src/backend/distributed/metadata/node_metadata.c
@@ -217,6 +217,9 @@ citus_set_coordinator_host(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 		EnsureTransactionalMetadataSyncMode();
 	}
 
+	/* prevent concurrent modification */
+	LockRelationOid(DistNodeRelationId(), RowExclusiveLock);
+
 	bool isCoordinatorInMetadata = false;
 	WorkerNode *coordinatorNode = PrimaryNodeForGroup(COORDINATOR_GROUP_ID,
 													  &isCoordinatorInMetadata);