diff --git a/sqlx-core/src/pool/inner.rs b/sqlx-core/src/pool/inner.rs
index a595582b..7e911460 100644
--- a/sqlx-core/src/pool/inner.rs
+++ b/sqlx-core/src/pool/inner.rs
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ impl<DB: Database> SharedPool<DB> {
             }
 
             // an IO error while connecting is assumed to be the system starting up
-            Ok(Err(Error::Io(_))) => Ok(None),
+            Ok(Err(Error::Io(e))) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::ConnectionRefused => Ok(None),
 
             // TODO: Handle other database "boot period"s