diff --git a/src/spikeinterface/sorters/basesorter.py b/src/spikeinterface/sorters/basesorter.py
index 8116587044..c7e3173761 100644
--- a/src/spikeinterface/sorters/basesorter.py
+++ b/src/spikeinterface/sorters/basesorter.py
@@ -361,7 +361,6 @@ def check_compiled(cls):
         """
         shell_script = ShellScript(shell_cmd)
         shell_script.start()
-        shell_script.wait()
         retcode = shell_script.wait()
         if retcode != 0:
             return False
diff --git a/src/spikeinterface/sorters/utils/shellscript.py b/src/spikeinterface/sorters/utils/shellscript.py
index 18a055cafb..2f267e8057 100644
--- a/src/spikeinterface/sorters/utils/shellscript.py
+++ b/src/spikeinterface/sorters/utils/shellscript.py
@@ -110,6 +110,8 @@ def cleanup(self) -> None:
             return
         for dirpath in self._dirs_to_remove:
             _rmdir_with_retries(str(dirpath), num_retries=5)
+        if self._process is not None:
+            self._process.kill()
 
     def stop(self) -> None:
         if not self.isRunning():