diff --git a/lib/moodlelib.php b/lib/moodlelib.php
index 645ed385110..1c9696e1d48 100644
--- a/lib/moodlelib.php
+++ b/lib/moodlelib.php
@@ -6521,7 +6521,7 @@ function moodle_request_shutdown() {
         }
         if (memory_get_usage() > (int)$CFG->apachemaxmem) {
             trigger_error('Mem usage over $CFG->apachemaxmem: marking child for reaping.');
-            apache_child_terminate();
+            @apache_child_terminate();
         }
     }
 }