diff --git a/src/core/unit.c b/src/core/unit.c
index 4384e3bfcb..230a782631 100644
--- a/src/core/unit.c
+++ b/src/core/unit.c
@@ -2044,7 +2044,11 @@ int unit_reload(Unit *u) {
                 return -EBADR;
 
         state = unit_active_state(u);
-        if (state == UNIT_RELOADING)
+        if (IN_SET(state, UNIT_RELOADING, UNIT_REFRESHING))
+                /* "refreshing" means some resources in the unit namespace is being updated. Unlike reload,
+                 * the unit processes aren't made aware of refresh. Let's put the job back to queue
+                 * in both cases, as refresh typically takes place before reload and it's better to wait
+                 * for it rather than failing. */
                 return -EAGAIN;
 
         if (state != UNIT_ACTIVE)