diff --git a/tests/nodeos_startup_catchup.py b/tests/nodeos_startup_catchup.py
index e75fe165230..03a55936385 100755
--- a/tests/nodeos_startup_catchup.py
+++ b/tests/nodeos_startup_catchup.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 from WalletMgr import WalletMgr
 from Node import BlockType
 from Node import Node
+import signal
 from TestHelper import AppArgs
 from TestHelper import TestHelper
 
@@ -167,6 +168,8 @@ def head(node):
         Print("Verify catchup node is advancing to producer")
         # verify catchup node is advancing to producer
         catchupNode.waitForBlock(lastLibNum, timeout=(numBlocksToCatchup)/2, blockType=BlockType.lib)
+        catchupNode.kill(signal.SIGTERM)
+        catchupNode.popenProc=None
 
     testSuccessful=True