diff --git a/sys/src/9/port/pgrp.c b/sys/src/9/port/pgrp.c
index fb23b432c..069df11da 100644
--- a/sys/src/9/port/pgrp.c
+++ b/sys/src/9/port/pgrp.c
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ pgrpnote(ulong noteid, char *a, long n, int flag)
 			continue;
 		if(up != p && p->noteid == noteid && p->kp == 0) {
 			qlock(&p->debug);
-			if(p->pid != 0 && p->noteid == noteid)
+			if(p->noteid == noteid)
 				postnote(p, 0, buf, flag);
 			qunlock(&p->debug);
 		}
diff --git a/sys/src/9/port/proc.c b/sys/src/9/port/proc.c
index 41cfb9aff..911bfd608 100644
--- a/sys/src/9/port/proc.c
+++ b/sys/src/9/port/proc.c
@@ -903,9 +903,18 @@ postnote(Proc *p, int dolock, char *n, int flag)
 	int s, ret;
 	QLock *q;
 
+	if(p == nil)
+		return 0;
+
 	if(dolock)
 		qlock(&p->debug);
 
+	if(p->pid == 0){
+		if(dolock)
+			qunlock(&p->debug);
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	if(n != nil && flag != NUser && (p->notify == 0 || p->notified))
 		p->nnote = 0;