diff --git a/src/aiomail/client.py b/src/aiomail/client.py
index 8d06419..7116e95 100644
--- a/src/aiomail/client.py
+++ b/src/aiomail/client.py
@@ -183,8 +183,13 @@ class IMAPClient:
         return folders
 
     async def select(self, folder: str) -> bool:
-        """select a folder, returning whether it succeeded"""
-        if not await self.ensure_connection():
+        """select a folder, returning whether it succeeded
+
+        connects/reconnects first if needed; a failed re-select of the *previously*
+        selected folder during reconnect does not block attempting this call's own
+        target folder, since a live connection can still select it.
+        """
+        if not await self.ensure_connection() and self._mail is None:
             return False
         try:
             result, _ = await self._mail.select(f'"{folder}"')