diff --git a/src/commands/helpers.ts b/src/commands/helpers.ts
index 19beb06..9af1561 100644
--- a/src/commands/helpers.ts
+++ b/src/commands/helpers.ts
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ export async function mergeAndClose(branch: string, opts?: { squash?: boolean; f
   } catch (err) {
     const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err)
     spin.fail(message)
-    if (session) await vm.clearActivity(session.worktree, branch)
+    if (session) await vm.clearActivity(session.worktree, branch) // process.exit below skips finally
     await git.abortMerge(root)
     process.exit(1)
   } finally {