diff --git a/README.markdown b/README.markdown
index 0a95f7bb9..e3ea2b8da 100644
--- a/README.markdown
+++ b/README.markdown
@@ -265,6 +265,15 @@ worker process.  Use the PIDFILE option for easy access to the PID:
 
     $ PIDFILE=./resque.pid QUEUE=file_serve rake environment resque:work
 
+### Running in the background
+
+(Only supported with ruby >= 1.9). There are scenarios where it's helpful for
+the resque worker to run itself in the background (usually in combination with
+PIDFILE).  Use the BACKGROUND option so that rake will return as soon as the
+worker is started.
+
+    $ PIDFILE=./resque.pid BACKGROUND=yes QUEUE=file_serve \
+        rake environment resque:work
 
 ### Priorities and Queue Lists
 
diff --git a/lib/resque/tasks.rb b/lib/resque/tasks.rb
index 1e2e07942..4abf7ccc1 100644
--- a/lib/resque/tasks.rb
+++ b/lib/resque/tasks.rb
@@ -18,6 +18,13 @@
       abort "set QUEUE env var, e.g. $ QUEUE=critical,high rake resque:work"
     end
 
+    if ENV['BACKGROUND']
+      unless Process.respond_to?('daemon')
+          abort "env var BACKGROUND is set, which requires ruby >= 1.9"
+      end
+      Process.daemon(true)
+    end
+
     if ENV['PIDFILE']
       File.open(ENV['PIDFILE'], 'w') { |f| f << worker.pid }
     end
diff --git a/lib/resque/worker.rb b/lib/resque/worker.rb
index 32c450d99..02d3ce98f 100644
--- a/lib/resque/worker.rb
+++ b/lib/resque/worker.rb
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ def hostname
 
     # Returns Integer PID of running worker
     def pid
-      @pid ||= to_s.split(":")[1].to_i
+      Process.pid
     end
 
     # Returns an Array of string pids of all the other workers on this