diff --git a/examples/reload.js b/examples/reload.js
index ac7b555..699e6e5 100644
--- a/examples/reload.js
+++ b/examples/reload.js
@@ -21,4 +21,4 @@ cluster(server)
   .set('workers', 1)
   .use(cluster.reload())
   .use(cluster.debug())
-  .listen(3000);
\ No newline at end of file
+  .listen(3000);
diff --git a/lib/master.js b/lib/master.js
index 176af0d..b32cdd8 100644
--- a/lib/master.js
+++ b/lib/master.js
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ var node = process.execPath;
  *      which can be patched in order to preserve plugin state.
  *   - `restart`. Restart complete, new master established, previous died.
  *      Receives an object with state preserved by the `restarting` event.
+ *   - `exit`. When a restarted master process exits.
  *                
  * Signals:
  *
@@ -684,6 +685,12 @@ Master.prototype.spawnMaster = function(){
       customFds: customFds
     , env: env
   });
+
+  // watch for exit in case of problem during restart
+  var self = this;
+  proc.on('exit',function(){
+    self.emit('exit',{});
+  });
   
   // unix domain socket for ICP + fd passing
   proc.sock = new net.Socket(fds[1], 'unix');
diff --git a/lib/plugins/reload.js b/lib/plugins/reload.js
index e452c4b..73acd58 100644
--- a/lib/plugins/reload.js
+++ b/lib/plugins/reload.js
@@ -115,6 +115,11 @@ exports = module.exports = function(files, options){
     master.on('restarting', function(){
       restarting = true;
     });
+
+    master.on('exit', function(){
+      // must have been a problem
+      restarting = false;
+    });
   }
 };
 
@@ -122,4 +127,4 @@ exports = module.exports = function(files, options){
  * Directories to ignore.
  */
 
-exports.ignoreDirectories = ['node_modules', 'support', 'test', 'bin'];
\ No newline at end of file
+exports.ignoreDirectories = ['node_modules', 'support', 'test', 'bin'];