diff --git a/lib/ruby/java/vm.rb b/lib/ruby/java/vm.rb
index f3da222f..5de0315d 100644
--- a/lib/ruby/java/vm.rb
+++ b/lib/ruby/java/vm.rb
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ def run(classname, options)
         else
           command << "&"
           command << " echo $! > #{options[:pid_file]}" if options[:pid_file]
+          command.unshift("nohup")
         end
       else
         command << "; echo $! > #{options[:pid_file]}" if options[:pid_file]