A load drive circuit comprising: a power source terminal for connecting a power source; a load terminal for connecting a load to which power is to be supplied from the power source connected to the power source terminal; a semiconductor switch connected between the power source terminal and the load terminal; a freewheeling circuit that includes: a freewheeling diode, a cathode of which is connected to the node where the semiconductor switch is connected to the load terminal, and a protection switch that is connected to the freewheeling diode in series, and, when the power source is connected in a reverse manner, switches off and blocks flow of a current from the power source to the semiconductor switch via the freewheeling diode; a control circuit that includes: a first control terminal for outputting a signal for opening/closing the semiconductor switch, and a second control terminal for outputting a signal for opening/closing the protection switch; a first terminal for connecting the control circuit to a first fixed potential; a second terminal for connecting an anode of the freewheeling diode to a second fixed potential via the protection switch; and a connection circuit that includes a connection switch installed in a conductive path that connects the second control terminal and the first terminal, wherein, when a rise in a potential difference between the first terminal and the second terminal is detected, the connection circuit connects the second control terminal and the first terminal by switching on the connection switch, whereby the protection switch is switched off. a power source terminal for connecting a power source; a load terminal for connecting a load to which power is to be supplied from the power source connected to the power source terminal; a semiconductor switch connected between the power source terminal and the load terminal; a freewheeling circuit that includes: a freewheeling diode, a cathode of which is connected to the node where the semiconductor switch is connected to the load terminal, and a protection switch that is connected to the freewheeling diode in series, and, when the power source is connected in a reverse manner, switches off and blocks flow of a current from the power source to the semiconductor switch via the freewheeling diode; a freewheeling diode, a cathode of which is connected to the node where the semiconductor switch is connected to the load terminal, and a protection switch that is connected to the freewheeling diode in series, and, when the power source is connected in a reverse manner, switches off and blocks flow of a current from the power source to the semiconductor switch via the freewheeling diode; a control circuit that includes: a first control terminal for outputting a signal for opening/closing the semiconductor switch, and a second control terminal for outputting a signal for opening/closing the protection switch; a first control terminal for outputting a signal for opening/closing the semiconductor switch, and a second control terminal for outputting a signal for opening/closing the protection switch; a first terminal for connecting the control circuit to a first fixed potential; a second terminal for connecting an anode of the freewheeling diode to a second fixed potential via the protection switch; and a connection circuit that includes a connection switch installed in a conductive path that connects the second control terminal and the first terminal, wherein, when a rise in a potential difference between the first terminal and the second terminal is detected, the connection circuit connects the second control terminal and the first terminal by switching on the connection switch, whereby the protection switch is switched off.