diff --git a/lib/strong_migrations/checker.rb b/lib/strong_migrations/checker.rb
index 526b26b..bca403b 100644
--- a/lib/strong_migrations/checker.rb
+++ b/lib/strong_migrations/checker.rb
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ def reset
       @timeouts_set = false
       @committed = false
       @transaction_disabled = false
+      @skip_retries = false
     end
 
     def self.safety_assured
@@ -123,7 +124,7 @@ def perform_method(method, *args)
         begin
           remove_invalid_index_if_needed(*args)
         ensure
-          remove_instance_variable(:@skip_retries)
+          @skip_retries = false
         end
       end
       yield
@@ -243,7 +244,7 @@ def retry_lock_timeouts?(method)
         StrongMigrations.lock_timeout_retries > 0 &&
         !in_transaction? &&
         method != :transaction &&
-        !defined?(@skip_retries)
+        !@skip_retries
       )
     end