diff --git a/tests/server/sws.c b/tests/server/sws.c
index db774f62a7..7c3ba4f7d5 100644
--- a/tests/server/sws.c
+++ b/tests/server/sws.c
@@ -802,6 +802,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
   }
   else {
     fprintf(stderr, "Couldn't write pid file\n");
+    sclose(sock);
+    exit(1);
   }
 
   logmsg("Running IPv%d version on port %d",