diff --git a/django_q/cluster.py b/django_q/cluster.py
index 7ad1e7d..9b74697 100644
--- a/django_q/cluster.py
+++ b/django_q/cluster.py
@@ -211,7 +211,8 @@ class Sentinel:
         :param process: the process to reincarnate
         :type process: Process or None
         """
-        close_old_django_connections()
+        if not Conf.SYNC:
+            db.connections.close_all()  # Close any old connections
         if process == self.monitor:
             self.monitor = self.spawn_monitor()
             logger.error(_(f"reincarnated monitor {process.name} after sudden death"))
@@ -235,7 +236,8 @@ class Sentinel:
     def spawn_cluster(self):
         self.pool = []
         Stat(self).save()
-        close_old_django_connections()
+        if not Conf.SYNC:
+            db.connection.close()
         # spawn worker pool
         for __ in range(self.pool_size):
             self.spawn_worker()
@@ -731,4 +733,4 @@ def rss_check():
             return resource.getrusage(resource.RUSAGE_SELF).ru_maxrss >= Conf.MAX_RSS
         elif psutil:
             return psutil.Process().memory_info().rss >= Conf.MAX_RSS * 1024
-    return False
+    return False
\ No newline at end of file