diff --git a/pkg/daemon/pidfile.go b/pkg/daemon/pidfile.go
index 0ee026c59..a68f3356b 100644
--- a/pkg/daemon/pidfile.go
+++ b/pkg/daemon/pidfile.go
@@ -44,24 +44,30 @@ func NewPIDFile(path string) *PIDFile {
 // This prevents multiple instances of the gateway from running simultaneously,
 // which could cause resource conflicts and undefined behavior.
 func (p *PIDFile) Write() error {
+	return p.WritePID(os.Getpid())
+}
+
+// WritePID atomically writes the specified process ID to the PID file.
+// Returns an error if a PID file already exists with a running process.
+//
+// Use this method when you need to write a PID other than the current process,
+// such as when spawning a child process.
+func (p *PIDFile) WritePID(pid int) error {
 	p.mu.Lock()
 	defer p.mu.Unlock()
 
 	// Check for existing PID file
 	if _, err := os.Stat(p.path); err == nil {
 		// PID file exists, check if process is running
-		pid, err := p.read()
-		if err == nil && p.isProcessRunning(pid) {
+		existingPid, err := p.read()
+		if err == nil && p.isProcessRunning(existingPid) {
 			return &ProcessRunningError{
-				pid:  pid,
+				pid:  existingPid,
 				Path: p.path,
 			}
 		}
 		// Process is not running, stale PID file, continue
 	}
-
-	// Write PID to temp file in same directory (atomic preparation)
-	pid := os.Getpid()
 	pidStr := strconv.Itoa(pid)
 
 	tempFile := p.path + ".tmp"
diff --git a/pkg/daemon/service.go b/pkg/daemon/service.go
index 1dd95ec28..b91cbb39c 100644
--- a/pkg/daemon/service.go
+++ b/pkg/daemon/service.go
@@ -150,14 +150,24 @@ func (s *Service) Start() error {
 
 	pid := cmd.Process.Pid
 
-	// Write PID file atomically
-	if err := s.pidFile.Write(); err != nil {
+	// Write PID file atomically with the child's PID
+	if err := s.pidFile.WritePID(pid); err != nil {
 		// Failed to write PID file, kill the process
 		cmd.Process.Kill()
 		logFile.Close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write PID file: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// Verify the child process is actually running
+	// This prevents race conditions where status is checked immediately
+	time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	if !s.pidFile.IsProcessRunning() {
+		// Child process died immediately, likely a startup error
+		s.pidFile.Remove()
+		logFile.Close()
+		return fmt.Errorf("gateway process failed to start (check log file: %s)", s.logConfig.Path)
+	}
+
 	// Update state
 	s.state.SetPID(pid)
 	s.state.SetStartTime(time.Now())