diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
index 07058be9fb..06502f5e23 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ impl ExternalCommand {
                 Err(_) => {
                     let mut fg_process =
                         ForegroundProcess::new(self.create_process(&input, true, head)?);
-                    child = process.spawn();
+                    child = fg_process.spawn();
                 }
                 Ok(process) => {
                     child = Ok(process);