diff --git a/sesman/sesman.c b/sesman/sesman.c
index 3dc96881..b3f83f9c 100644
--- a/sesman/sesman.c
+++ b/sesman/sesman.c
@@ -148,9 +148,11 @@ main(int argc, char** argv)
     }
 
     error = g_file_read(fd, pid_s, 7);
-    if (0 != error)
+    if (-1 == error)
     {
       g_printf("error reading pid file: %s\n", g_get_strerror());
+      g_file_close(fd);
+      g_exit(error);
     }
     g_file_close(fd);
     pid = g_atoi(pid_s);