diff --git a/src/charon-tkm/src/charon-tkm.c b/src/charon-tkm/src/charon-tkm.c
index 7f014237a..181c6fb8a 100644
--- a/src/charon-tkm/src/charon-tkm.c
+++ b/src/charon-tkm/src/charon-tkm.c
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ static bool check_pidfile()
 			}
 			fclose(pidfile);
 			pidfile = NULL;
-			if (pid && kill(pid, 0) == 0)
+			if (pid && pid != getpid() && kill(pid, 0) == 0)
 			{
 				DBG1(DBG_DMN, "%s already running ('%s' exists)", dmn_name,
 					 pidfile_name);