diff --git a/RELNOTES b/RELNOTES
index 86a1cb4d..5cc71506 100644
--- a/RELNOTES
+++ b/RELNOTES
@@ -92,6 +92,11 @@ work on other platforms. Please report any problems and suggested fixes to
   objects.
   [ISC-Bugs #27452]
 
+- Added a sleep call after killing the old client to allow time
+  for the sockets to be cleaned.  This should allow the -r option
+  to work more consistently.
+  [ISC-Bugs #18175]
+
 			Changes since 4.2.4
 
 - Correct code to calculate timing values in client to compare
diff --git a/client/dhclient.c b/client/dhclient.c
index cfcf10cd..aac80844 100644
--- a/client/dhclient.c
+++ b/client/dhclient.c
@@ -404,8 +404,16 @@ main(int argc, char **argv) {
 			oldpid = (pid_t)temp;
 
 			if (e != 0 && e != EOF) {
-				if (oldpid)
-					kill(oldpid, SIGTERM);
+				if (oldpid && (kill(oldpid, SIGTERM) == 0)) {
+					/*
+					 * wait for the old process to
+					 * cleanly terminate.
+					 * Note kill() with sig=0 could
+					 * detect termination but only
+					 * the parent can be signaled...
+					 */
+					sleep(1);
+				}
 			}
 			fclose(pidfd);
 		}