diff --git a/lib/services/bitcoind.js b/lib/services/bitcoind.js
index 2d1f84ab..9d59f48d 100644
--- a/lib/services/bitcoind.js
+++ b/lib/services/bitcoind.js
@@ -470,12 +470,15 @@ Bitcoin.prototype._checkSyncedAndSubscribeZmqEvents = function(node) {
     }
     if (!synced) {
       interval = setInterval(function() {
+        if (self.node.stopping) {
+          return clearInterval(interval);
+        }
         checkAndSubscribe(function(err) {
           if (err) {
             log.error(err);
           }
         });
-      }, node._tipUpdateInterval || Bitcoin.DEFAULT_TIP_UPDATE_INTERVAL).unref();
+      }, node._tipUpdateInterval || Bitcoin.DEFAULT_TIP_UPDATE_INTERVAL);
     }
   });
 
diff --git a/test/services/bitcoind.unit.js b/test/services/bitcoind.unit.js
index f7a228f9..62131046 100644
--- a/test/services/bitcoind.unit.js
+++ b/test/services/bitcoind.unit.js
@@ -720,7 +720,7 @@ describe('Bitcoin Service', function() {
         bitcoind._updateTip.callCount.should.equal(10);
         bitcoind._subscribeZmqEvents.callCount.should.equal(1);
         done();
-      }, 20);
+      }, 40);
     });
   });