diff --git a/terminal.c b/terminal.c
index c9775b52..35ad71c0 100644
--- a/terminal.c
+++ b/terminal.c
@@ -936,6 +936,7 @@ term_init(const struct config *conf, struct fdm *fdm, struct wayland *wayl,
     return term;
 
 err:
+    term->is_shutting_down = true;
     term_destroy(term);
     return NULL;