diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/git/runner.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/git/runner.lua
index 915579d8..008ebc46 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/git/runner.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/git/runner.lua
@@ -89,12 +89,14 @@ function Runner:_run_git_job(callback)
     stderr:read_stop()
     stdout:close()
     stderr:close()
-    if handle then
+
+    -- don't close the handle when killing as it will leave a zombie
+    if rc == -1 then
+      pcall(vim.loop.kill, pid, "sigkill")
+    elseif handle then
       handle:close()
     end
 
-    pcall(vim.loop.kill, pid)
-
     if callback then
       callback()
     end