diff --git a/init/perfboot.py b/init/perfboot.py
index 8f2096aa8..3d4940c5b 100755
--- a/init/perfboot.py
+++ b/init/perfboot.py
@@ -141,6 +141,7 @@ class WatchdogTimer(object):
         def notify_timeout():
             self._timedout = True
         self._timer = threading.Timer(timeout, notify_timeout)
+        self._timer.daemon = True
         self._timer.start()
 
     def is_timedout(self):