diff --git a/src/xdist/remote.py b/src/xdist/remote.py
index dd1f9883..98b5a9c6 100644
--- a/src/xdist/remote.py
+++ b/src/xdist/remote.py
@@ -183,7 +183,10 @@ def run_one_test(self) -> None:
 
         items = self.session.items
         item = items[self.item_index]
-        if self.nextitem_index is Marker.SHUTDOWN:
+        if (
+            self.nextitem_index is Marker.SHUTDOWN
+            or self.item_index == self.nextitem_index
+        ):
             nextitem = None
         else:
             assert self.nextitem_index is not None