diff --git a/criu/cr-restore.c b/criu/cr-restore.c
index 6458904e0..a294fce24 100644
--- a/criu/cr-restore.c
+++ b/criu/cr-restore.c
@@ -2131,6 +2131,9 @@ static int write_restored_pid(void)
 {
 	int pid;
 
+	if (opts.check_only)
+		return 0;
+
 	if (!opts.pidfile)
 		return 0;