diff --git a/platypush/pusher/__init__.py b/platypush/pusher/__init__.py
index b4993b8909..a0c45b1842 100755
--- a/platypush/pusher/__init__.py
+++ b/platypush/pusher/__init__.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ def pusher(target, action, backend=None, config=None,
     def on_timeout(signum, frame):
         raise RuntimeError('Response timed out after {} seconds'.format(
             timeout))
+        os._exit(0)
 
     Config.init(config)