diff --git a/runtime/v2/runc/v2/service.go b/runtime/v2/runc/v2/service.go
index 06eaaed6e..80fbd7c7f 100644
--- a/runtime/v2/runc/v2/service.go
+++ b/runtime/v2/runc/v2/service.go
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ func readSpec() (*spec, error) {
 	return &s, nil
 }
 
-func (s *service) StartShim(ctx context.Context, id, containerdBinary, containerdAddress, containerdTTRPCAddress string) (string, error) {
+func (s *service) StartShim(ctx context.Context, id, containerdBinary, containerdAddress, containerdTTRPCAddress string) (_ string, retErr error) {
 	cmd, err := newCommand(ctx, id, containerdBinary, containerdAddress, containerdTTRPCAddress)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ func (s *service) StartShim(ctx context.Context, id, containerdBinary, container
 		return "", err
 	}
 	defer func() {
-		if err != nil {
+		if retErr != nil {
 			cmd.Process.Kill()
 		}
 	}()