diff --git a/src/os/win32/ngx_process.c b/src/os/win32/ngx_process.c
index 87e8f9a2a..67c6b121a 100644
--- a/src/os/win32/ngx_process.c
+++ b/src/os/win32/ngx_process.c
@@ -196,6 +196,7 @@ failed:
 
     if (ngx_processes[s].handle) {
         ngx_close_handle(ngx_processes[s].handle);
+        ngx_processes[s].handle = NULL;
     }
 
     return NGX_INVALID_PID;