select_bad_process() assumes that a TIF_MEMDIE process should go away. But it can only go away it its parent does wait(). Change this check to ignore the TIF_MEMDIE zombies. Note: this is _not_ enough. Just a minimal fix. Signed-off-by: Oleg Nesterov <oleg@xxxxxxxxxx> --- mm/oom_kill.c | 3 ++- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) --- 38/mm/oom_kill.c~2_tif_memdie_zombie 2011-03-14 18:51:49.000000000 +0100 +++ 38/mm/oom_kill.c 2011-03-14 18:52:39.000000000 +0100 @@ -311,7 +311,8 @@ static struct task_struct *select_bad_pr * blocked waiting for another task which itself is waiting * for memory. Is there a better alternative? */ - if (test_tsk_thread_flag(p, TIF_MEMDIE)) + if (test_tsk_thread_flag(p, TIF_MEMDIE) && + !p->exit_state && thread_group_empty(p)) return ERR_PTR(-1UL); /* -- To unsubscribe, send a message with 'unsubscribe linux-mm' in the body to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxx For more info on Linux MM, see: http://www.linux-mm.org/ . Fight unfair telecom internet charges in Canada: sign http://stopthemeter.ca/ Don't email: <a href=mailto:"dont@xxxxxxxxx";> email@xxxxxxxxx </a>