diff --git a/share/functions/__fish_apropos.fish b/share/functions/__fish_apropos.fish
index 633ee22d3..16c90bb36 100644
--- a/share/functions/__fish_apropos.fish
+++ b/share/functions/__fish_apropos.fish
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ if test $status -eq 0 -a (count $sysver) -eq 3
         if test $age -ge $max_age
             test -d "$dir" || mkdir -m 700 -p $dir
             /usr/libexec/makewhatis -o "$whatis" (man --path | string split :) >/dev/null 2>&1 </dev/null &
+            disown $last_pid
         end
     end
 else