diff --git a/src/cleveragents/lsp/transport.py b/src/cleveragents/lsp/transport.py
index bab01a497..8c634d192 100644
--- a/src/cleveragents/lsp/transport.py
+++ b/src/cleveragents/lsp/transport.py
@@ -128,10 +128,8 @@ class StdioTransport:
             # raised (e.g. exec in a child fails), so we must terminate
             # and wait to avoid leaking a zombie or orphan.
             if self._process is not None:
-                try:
-                    self.stop()
-                except Exception:  # noqa: BLE001 -- best-effort cleanup
-                    pass
+                self.stop()
+                self._process = None
 
             from cleveragents.lsp.errors import LspError