diff --git a/pyapollo/apollo_client.py b/pyapollo/apollo_client.py
index e8acd20..14eca3c 100644
--- a/pyapollo/apollo_client.py
+++ b/pyapollo/apollo_client.py
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ def start(self, use_eventlet=False, eventlet_monkey_patch=False, catch_signals=T
                 signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, self._signal_handler)
                 signal.signal(signal.SIGABRT, self._signal_handler)
             t = threading.Thread(target=self._listener)
+            t.setDaemon(True)
             t.start()
 
     def stop(self):