diff --git a/lib/master.js b/lib/master.js
index e4a4627..da58d8c 100644
--- a/lib/master.js
+++ b/lib/master.js
@@ -260,6 +260,7 @@ Master.prototype.start = function(fn){
     if (this.isWorker) {
       // connect the worker
       var worker = new Worker(this);
+      this.worker = worker;
       this.sock = net.createConnection(this.socketPath);
       this.sock.on('connect', function(){
         worker.start();