diff --git a/bootstrap-neopig.sh b/bootstrap-neopig.sh
index 63cce8c..47a98d3 100644
--- a/bootstrap-neopig.sh
+++ b/bootstrap-neopig.sh
@@ -19,5 +19,9 @@ pip install -r requirements.txt
 # Create data directory for database
 mkdir -p data
 
+# Kill any existing neopig process before starting (for redeployments)
+pkill -f "python.*neopig" || true
+sleep 1
+
 # Run neopig.py --serve on port 80 with import mode (tar.gz uploads)
 NEOPIG_IMPORT=1 NEOPIG_DISABLE_CRAWL=1 python neopig.py --serve --host 0.0.0.0 --port 80