diff --git a/lib/mbtiles.js b/lib/mbtiles.js
index 2f1ccda..90be990 100644
--- a/lib/mbtiles.js
+++ b/lib/mbtiles.js
@@ -93,7 +93,12 @@ MBTiles.prototype._open = function(uri) {
     }, function(err, info) {
         if (err) return error(err);
         mbtiles._info = info;
-        fs.watchFile(mbtiles.filename, { interval: 1000 }, function(cur, prev) {
+        fs.watchFile(mbtiles.filename, {
+            // Indicates that the node process may exit if the file watcher
+            // is the only thing in the event loop.
+            persistent: false,
+            interval: 1000
+        }, function(cur, prev) {
             if (cur.mtime != prev.mtime) {
                 fs.unwatchFile(mbtiles.filename);
                 delete cache[key];