diff --git a/top/top.c b/top/top.c
index 0094538c..f0369bc4 100644
--- a/top/top.c
+++ b/top/top.c
@@ -3342,6 +3342,8 @@ static void before (char *me) {
          default:
             sa.sa_handler = sig_abexit;
             break;
+         case SIGKILL: case SIGSTOP:
+         // because uncatchable, fall through
          case SIGCHLD: // we can't catch this
             continue;  // when opening a pipe
       }