diff --git a/sys/src/9k/port/proc.c b/sys/src/9k/port/proc.c
index 5d49bca7c..fdc4d59b6 100644
--- a/sys/src/9k/port/proc.c
+++ b/sys/src/9k/port/proc.c
@@ -1050,7 +1050,7 @@ pexit(char *exitstr, int freemem)
 	 * if not a kernel process and have a parent,
 	 * do some housekeeping.
 	 */
-	if(up->kp == 0) {
+	if(up->kp == 0 && up->parentpid != 0) {
 		p = up->parent;
 		if(p == nil) {
 			if(exitstr == nil)