diff --git a/process_manager.py b/process_manager.py
index d8650ab..ea4c928 100644
--- a/process_manager.py
+++ b/process_manager.py
@@ -98,7 +98,10 @@ class ProcessManager:
         self.task = self.loop.create_task(self.run_cmd())
 
     def stop(self):
-        assert self.state == ProcessManagerState.RUNNING, "process manager is not running"
+        if self.state != ProcessManagerState.RUNNING:
+            logging.debug(
+                "trying to stop a process manager that is not running")
+            return
         self.state = ProcessManagerState.IDLE
         self.task.cancel()
         try: