diff --git a/page-xfer.c b/page-xfer.c
index e409dba43..f56448c73 100644
--- a/page-xfer.c
+++ b/page-xfer.c
@@ -307,8 +307,9 @@ int cr_page_server(bool daemon_mode, int cfd)
 no_server:
 	if (daemon_mode) {
 		ret = cr_daemon(1, 0, &ask, cfd);
+		close_safe(&sk);
 		if (ret == -1) {
-			pr_perror("Can't run in the background");
+			pr_err("Can't run in the background\n");
 			goto out;
 		}
 		if (ret > 0) { /* parent task, daemon started */