diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/orchestration/worker/worker-stop-exit-race.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/orchestration/worker/worker-stop-exit-race.test.ts
index 6f4dbcb3715..b8d66dbd1df 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/orchestration/worker/worker-stop-exit-race.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/orchestration/worker/worker-stop-exit-race.test.ts
@@ -58,6 +58,20 @@ describe('a worker whose process exits while its own stop is in flight', () => {
     expect(receipt.state).toBe('stopped')
   })
 
+  it('accepts an exit observed while inspecting the process before close', async () => {
+    const { dispatchId } = await h.startWorker()
+    vi.mocked(h.runtime.showTerminal).mockImplementation(async (handle) => {
+      fireExit(handle)
+      return { handle, connected: false } as never
+    })
+    vi.spyOn(h.runtime, 'getTerminalLivenessVerdict').mockReturnValue({ status: 'exited' })
+
+    await expect(
+      h.call('orchestration.workerStop', { dispatch: dispatchId })
+    ).resolves.toMatchObject({ state: 'stopped', processAction: 'none' })
+    expect(h.runtime.closeTerminal).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
   it('leaves an exit with no stop in flight failing the dispatch', async () => {
     const { dispatchId } = await h.startWorker()
     fireExit('term_worker')
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/orchestration/worker/worker-stop.ts b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/orchestration/worker/worker-stop.ts
index 6438040e1bf..b0cc88c51c1 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/orchestration/worker/worker-stop.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/rpc/methods/orchestration/worker/worker-stop.ts
@@ -127,6 +127,16 @@ export const ORCHESTRATION_WORKER_STOP_METHODS: RpcMethod[] = [
           )
         }
         const observation = await inspectWorkerTerminal(runtime, db, params.dispatch)
+        // The host exit can settle this stop while terminal inspection is awaiting inventory.
+        if (db.getWorkerDispatch(params.dispatch)?.state === 'stopped') {
+          runtime.notifyMessageArrived(`dispatch:${params.dispatch}`, 'status')
+          return {
+            dispatchId: params.dispatch,
+            state: 'stopped',
+            alreadySettled: false,
+            processAction: 'none'
+          }
+        }
         // Why `unverifiable` still proceeds: losing contact is a reason to report
         // the outcome honestly, never a reason to stop trying to stop the worker.
         if (