diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/send_signal.c b/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/send_signal.c
index 9adcda7f1fed..61c903500014 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/send_signal.c
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/send_signal.c
@@ -145,6 +145,11 @@ destroy_skel:
 skel_open_load_failure:
 	close(pipe_c2p[0]);
 	close(pipe_p2c[1]);
+	/*
+	 * Child is either about to exit cleanly or stuck in case of errors.
+	 * Nudge it to exit.
+	 */
+	kill(pid, SIGKILL);
 	wait(NULL);
 }