diff --git a/nodepool/launcher.py b/nodepool/launcher.py
index 5201bf807..0a2bb1025 100644
--- a/nodepool/launcher.py
+++ b/nodepool/launcher.py
@@ -156,10 +156,6 @@ class PoolWorker(threading.Thread, stats.StatsReporter):
                                req_count + 1, len(requests), elapsed)
                 return False
 
-            req = self.zk.getNodeRequest(req.id)
-            if not req:
-                continue
-
             # Only interested in unhandled requests
             if req.state != zk.REQUESTED:
                 continue
@@ -263,6 +259,11 @@ class PoolWorker(threading.Thread, stats.StatsReporter):
                 log.debug("Request is in state %s", req.state)
                 continue
 
+            # Skip it if we've already declined
+            if self.launcher_id in req.declined_by:
+                log.debug("Request is already declined")
+                continue
+
             if not reasons_to_decline:
                 # Got a lock, so assign it
                 log.info("Assigning node request %s" % req)