diff --git a/scripts/openclaw-cross-os-release-checks.ts b/scripts/openclaw-cross-os-release-checks.ts
index 108adb66ec81..68f9694091e8 100644
--- a/scripts/openclaw-cross-os-release-checks.ts
+++ b/scripts/openclaw-cross-os-release-checks.ts
@@ -4034,13 +4034,14 @@ async function runCommandInvocation(invocation, options) {
 
     child.on("close", (exitCode) => {
       if (forwardedSignalExitCode !== undefined) {
+        // The leader can exit on SIGTERM while descendants remain in its group.
+        // Kill the group before unregistering so signal forwarding cannot leave them running.
         activeChildTree.killChildTree("SIGKILL");
-      }
-      activeChildTree.unregister();
-      if (forwardedSignalExitCode !== undefined) {
+        activeChildTree.unregister();
         finalize(exitForwardedSignalWhenChildTreesDone);
         return;
       }
+      activeChildTree.unregister();
       finalize(() => {
         const result = {
           exitCode: exitCode ?? 1,