diff --git a/include/linux/netfilter/nf_conntrack_common.h b/include/linux/netfilter/nf_conntrack_common.h
index 0d3dd66..d146872 100644
--- a/include/linux/netfilter/nf_conntrack_common.h
+++ b/include/linux/netfilter/nf_conntrack_common.h
@@ -83,6 +83,10 @@ enum ip_conntrack_status {
 	/* Conntrack is a fake untracked entry */
 	IPS_UNTRACKED_BIT = 12,
 	IPS_UNTRACKED = (1 << IPS_UNTRACKED_BIT),
+
+	/* Conntrack got a helper explicitly attached via CT target. */
+	IPS_HELPER_BIT = 13,
+	IPS_HELPER = (1 << IPS_HELPER_BIT),
 };
 
 /* Connection tracking event types */
diff --git a/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_helper.c b/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_helper.c
index f76481e..b851333 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_helper.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_helper.c
@@ -188,10 +188,21 @@ int __nf_ct_try_assign_helper(struct nf_conn *ct, struct nf_conn *tmpl,
 	struct net *net = nf_ct_net(ct);
 	int ret = 0;
 
+	/* We already got a helper explicitly attached. The function
+	 * nf_conntrack_alter_reply - in case NAT is in use - asks for looking
+	 * the helper up again. Since now the user is in full control of
+	 * making consistent helper configurations, skip this automatic
+	 * re-lookup, otherwise we'll lose the helper.
+	 */
+	if (test_bit(IPS_HELPER_BIT, &ct->status))
+		return 0;
+
 	if (tmpl != NULL) {
 		help = nfct_help(tmpl);
-		if (help != NULL)
+		if (help != NULL) {
 			helper = help->helper;
+			set_bit(IPS_HELPER_BIT, &ct->status);
+		}
 	}
 
 	help = nfct_help(ct);