diff --git a/src/nix-daemon/nix-daemon.cc b/src/nix-daemon/nix-daemon.cc
index 0f3235d76..8ec54e458 100644
--- a/src/nix-daemon/nix-daemon.cc
+++ b/src/nix-daemon/nix-daemon.cc
@@ -767,6 +767,8 @@ static void daemonLoop(char * * argv)
 
             /* Fork a child to handle the connection. */
             startProcess([&]() {
+                fdSocket.close();
+
                 /* Background the daemon. */
                 if (setsid() == -1)
                     throw SysError(format("creating a new session"));