diff --git a/db/commitlog/commitlog.cc b/db/commitlog/commitlog.cc
index 08e8ce7a5a..805db504f6 100644
--- a/db/commitlog/commitlog.cc
+++ b/db/commitlog/commitlog.cc
@@ -2133,8 +2133,9 @@ db::commitlog::read_log_file(const sstring& filename, const sstring& pfx, seasta
         }).handle_exception([w](auto ep) {
             w->s.set_exception(ep);
         });
-
-        return ret.done();
+        // #6265 - must keep subscription alive.
+        auto res = ret.done();
+        return res.finally([ret = std::move(ret)] {});
     });
 }