diff --git a/src/tri-api/mcp_client.zig b/src/tri-api/mcp_client.zig
index f22e68bf64..81bf65ed15 100644
--- a/src/tri-api/mcp_client.zig
+++ b/src/tri-api/mcp_client.zig
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ pub const McpManager = struct {
 
         child.spawn() catch |err| {
             std.debug.print("[mcp] Failed to spawn {s}: {s}\n", .{ name, @errorName(err) });
+            child.deinit();
             return 0;
         };