diff --git a/core/nginx/config.py b/core/nginx/config.py
index 7650aa71..360ce683 100755
--- a/core/nginx/config.py
+++ b/core/nginx/config.py
@@ -30,4 +30,5 @@ if args["TLS"] and not all(os.path.exists(file_path) for file_path in args["TLS"
 # Build final configuration paths
 convert("/conf/tls.conf", "/etc/nginx/tls.conf", args)
 convert("/conf/nginx.conf", "/etc/nginx/nginx.conf", args)
-os.system("nginx -s reload")
+if os.path.exists("/var/log/nginx.pid"):
+    os.system("nginx -s reload")
diff --git a/core/nginx/start.py b/core/nginx/start.py
index daf05e1a..f225b5f6 100755
--- a/core/nginx/start.py
+++ b/core/nginx/start.py
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 import os
 import subprocess
 
+# Check if a stale pid file exists
+if os.path.exists("/var/log/nginx.pid"):
+    os.remove("/var/log/nginx.pid")
 
 # Actual startup script
 if not os.path.exists("/certs/dhparam.pem") and os.environ["TLS_FLAVOR"] != "notls":