diff --git a/needrestart.spec b/needrestart.spec
index 22f7645..09662a7 100644
--- a/needrestart.spec
+++ b/needrestart.spec
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 Name:           needrestart
 Version:        2.11
-Release:        7%{?dist}
+Release:        8%{?dist}
 Summary:        Restart daemons after library updates
 
 License:        GPLv2+
@@ -101,6 +101,9 @@ cp %{SOURCE3} %{buildroot}/usr/lib/yum-plugins/needrestart.py
 
 
 %changelog
+* Thu Dec 21 2017 Marc Dequènes (Duck) <duck@redhat.com> - 2.11-8
+- fix 'check_needed' variable scope in YUM plugin
+
 * Thu Oct 05 2017 Marc Dequènes (Duck) <duck@redhat.com> - 2.11-7
 - forgot the %%{?dist} release component
 
diff --git a/yum__plugin.py b/yum__plugin.py
index 821217a..41d9a99 100644
--- a/yum__plugin.py
+++ b/yum__plugin.py
@@ -8,11 +8,15 @@ plugin_type = (TYPE_INTERACTIVE)
 check_needed = False
 
 def posttrans_hook(conduit):
+    global check_needed
+
     check_needed = True
 
 # acting in posttrans_hook is too early, we need to be sure the RPMDB is closed to avoid things like:
 # « Rpmdb changed underneath us » followed by failure to open the database on the next YUM call
 def close_hook(conduit):
+    global check_needed
+
     if not check_needed:
         return
     try: