diff --git a/backend.go b/backend.go
index 8ad3117..a4800bc 100644
--- a/backend.go
+++ b/backend.go
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ func backendServer() {
 	srv.Accept(lis)
 }
 
-func startBackendServer() {
+func runBackendServer() {
 	proc := exec.Command(os.Args[0], "-datadir", dataDir, "backend")
 	proc.Stdout = os.Stdout
 	proc.Stderr = os.Stderr
@@ -108,4 +108,6 @@ func startBackendServer() {
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Panicf("can't exec backend: %s", err)
 	}
+	err = proc.Wait()
+	log.Panicf("lost the backend: %s", err)
 }
diff --git a/web.go b/web.go
index 7459c7a..5a985e0 100644
--- a/web.go
+++ b/web.go
@@ -2325,7 +2325,7 @@ func serve() {
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	startBackendServer()
+	go runBackendServer()
 	go enditall()
 	go redeliverator()
 	go tracker()