diff --git a/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.preinst b/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.preinst
index 9804b1ccd6e53..9c37cba7a9c0f 100644
--- a/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.preinst
+++ b/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.preinst
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ mysql_upgradedir=/var/lib/mysql-upgrade
 stop_server() {
     if [ ! -x /etc/init.d/mysql ]; then return; fi
 
+    # Return immediately if there are no mysql processes running
+    # as there is no point in trying to shutdown in that case.
+    if ! pgrep mysqld > /dev/null; then return; fi
+
     set +e
     if [ -x /usr/sbin/invoke-rc.d ]; then
       cmd="invoke-rc.d mysql stop"