diff --git a/src/qt/splashscreen.cpp b/src/qt/splashscreen.cpp
index 4fe610794f7..74512e62aab 100644
--- a/src/qt/splashscreen.cpp
+++ b/src/qt/splashscreen.cpp
@@ -177,5 +177,6 @@ void SplashScreen::paintEvent(QPaintEvent *event)
 
 void SplashScreen::closeEvent(QCloseEvent *event)
 {
+    StartShutdown(); // allows an "emergency" shutdown during startup
     event->ignore();
 }