--- a/server/mpm_unix.c	
+++ a/server/mpm_unix.c	
@@ -789,10 +789,17 @@ int ap_signal_server(int *exit_status, apr_pool_t *pconf)
     }
     else {
         if (kill(otherpid, 0) == 0) {
-            running = 1;
-            status = apr_psprintf(pconf,
-                                  "httpd (pid %" APR_PID_T_FMT ") already "
-                                  "running", otherpid);
+            if (getpid() == otherpid) {
+                status = apr_psprintf(pconf,
+                                      "httpd (pid %" APR_PID_T_FMT ") already "
+                                      "running but it's ourself, can safely "
+                                      "proceed", otherpid );
+            }
+            else {
+                running = 1;
+                status = apr_psprintf(pconf,
+                                      "httpd (pid %" APR_PID_T_FMT ") already "
+                                      "running", otherpid);
+            }
         }
         else {
             status = apr_psprintf(pconf,