diff --git a/nsxt/provider.go b/nsxt/provider.go
index e7126c6a2..81d1d12b7 100644
--- a/nsxt/provider.go
+++ b/nsxt/provider.go
@@ -716,13 +716,13 @@ func configurePolicyConnectorData(d *schema.ResourceData, clients *nsxtClients)
 	}
 
 	if !isVMC {
-		err = configureLicenses(getPolicyConnectorForInit(*clients, true), clients.CommonConfig.LicenseKeys)
+		err = configureLicenses(getStandalonePolicyConnector(*clients, true), clients.CommonConfig.LicenseKeys)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
-	err = initNSXVersion(getPolicyConnectorForInit(*clients, true))
+	err = initNSXVersion(getStandalonePolicyConnector(*clients, true))
 	if err != nil && isVMC {
 		// In case version API does not work for VMC, we workaround by testing version-specific APIs
 		// TODO - remove this when /node/version API works for all auth methods on VMC
@@ -974,15 +974,19 @@ func providerConfigure(d *schema.ResourceData) (interface{}, error) {
 	return clients, nil
 }
 
+// Standard policy connection that initializes global connection settings on demand
 func getPolicyConnector(clients interface{}) client.Connector {
 	return getPolicyConnectorWithHeaders(clients, nil, false, true)
 }
 
-func getPolicyConnectorForInit(clients interface{}, withRetry bool) client.Connector {
+// Standalone policy connector, possibly for different endpoint,
+// for the purpose of special tasks (such as joining manager cluster node)
+// Does not initialize global connection settings
+func getStandalonePolicyConnector(clients interface{}, withRetry bool) client.Connector {
 	return getPolicyConnectorWithHeaders(clients, nil, true, withRetry)
 }
 
-func getPolicyConnectorWithHeaders(clients interface{}, customHeaders *map[string]string, initFlow bool, withRetry bool) client.Connector {
+func getPolicyConnectorWithHeaders(clients interface{}, customHeaders *map[string]string, standaloneFlow bool, withRetry bool) client.Connector {
 	c := clients.(nsxtClients)
 
 	retryFunc := func(retryContext retry.RetryContext) bool {
@@ -1064,7 +1068,8 @@ func getPolicyConnectorWithHeaders(clients interface{}, customHeaders *map[strin
 	connector := client.NewConnector(c.Host, connectorOptions...)
 	// Init NSX version on demand if not done yet
 	// This is also our indication to apply licenses, in case of delayed connection
-	if nsxVersion == "" && !initFlow {
+	// This step is skipped if the connector is for special purpose, or for different endpoint
+	if nsxVersion == "" && !standaloneFlow {
 		initNSXVersion(connector)
 		err := configureLicenses(connector, c.CommonConfig.LicenseKeys)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/nsxt/resource_nsxt_manager_cluster.go b/nsxt/resource_nsxt_manager_cluster.go
index 623d919ec..88d353d83 100644
--- a/nsxt/resource_nsxt_manager_cluster.go
+++ b/nsxt/resource_nsxt_manager_cluster.go
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func waitForNodeStatus(d *schema.ResourceData, m interface{}, nodes []NsxCluster
 		log.Printf("[DEBUG]: API probing for NSX is disabled")
 		return nil
 	}
-	connector := getPolicyConnectorForInit(m, false)
+	connector := getStandalonePolicyConnector(m, false)
 	stateConf := getNodeConnectivityStateConf(connector, delay, interval, timeout)
 	_, err := stateConf.WaitForState()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ func waitForNodeStatus(d *schema.ResourceData, m interface{}, nodes []NsxCluster
 			return err
 		}
 		newNsxClients := c.(nsxtClients)
-		nodeConnector := getPolicyConnectorForInit(newNsxClients, false)
+		nodeConnector := getStandalonePolicyConnector(newNsxClients, false)
 		nodeConf := getNodeConnectivityStateConf(nodeConnector, 0, interval, timeout)
 		_, err = nodeConf.WaitForState()
 		if err != nil {
@@ -330,10 +330,6 @@ func configureNewClient(newClient *nsxtClients, oldClient *nsxtClients, host str
 	}
 	newClient.PolicySecurityContext = securityCtx
 	newClient.PolicyHTTPClient = oldClient.PolicyHTTPClient
-	err = initNSXVersion(getPolicyConnector(*newClient))
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to configure new client with host %s: %s", host, err)
-	}
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -344,7 +340,7 @@ func joinNodeToCluster(clusterID string, certSha256Thumbprint string, guestNode
 	}
 	log.Printf("[INFO] Cluster %s. Joining node %s", clusterID, guestNode.IPAddress)
 	newNsxClients := c.(nsxtClients)
-	connector := getPolicyConnector(newNsxClients)
+	connector := getStandalonePolicyConnector(newNsxClients, true)
 	client := nsx.NewClusterClient(connector)
 	username, password := getHostCredential(m)
 	hostIP := getMatchingIPVersion(guestNode.IPAddress, hostIPs)