diff --git a/job.c b/job.c
index f527cf68..1b8a4af6 100644
--- a/job.c
+++ b/job.c
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ reap_children (block, err)
 
       /* First, check for remote children.  */
       pid = remote_status (&exit_code, &exit_sig, &coredump, 0);
-      if (pid < 0)
+      if (pid <= 0)
 	{
 	  /* No remote children.  Check for local children.  */