diff --git a/btrbk-cron b/btrbk-cron
index 9307545..5153781 100755
--- a/btrbk-cron
+++ b/btrbk-cron
@@ -31,13 +31,21 @@ else
   echo "Info: Healthchecks disabled"
 fi
 
+# lockfile check
 if [[ -f "${LOCKFILE}" ]] ; then
-  echo "Another instance is still running" | tee -a "${LOGFILE}"
-  if [[ "${HEALTHCHECK_ENABLE}" = "true" ]] ; then
-    curl "${CURLOPTS[@]}" --data-binary "@${LOGFILE}" "${HEALTHCHECK_URL}/log"
+  # check if stale lockfile
+  if [[ $(pgrep -c btrbk || true) -eq 0 ]] ; then
+    echo "Removing stale lock file: ${LOCKFILE}"
+    rm "${LOCKFILE}"
+  else
+    # another instance is really running, we exit
+    echo "Another instance is still running" | tee -a "${LOGFILE}"
+    if [[ "${HEALTHCHECK_ENABLE}" = "true" ]] ; then
+      curl "${CURLOPTS[@]}" --data-binary "@${LOGFILE}" "${HEALTHCHECK_URL}/log"
+    fi
+    rm -f -- "${LOGFILE}"
+    exit 0
   fi
-  rm -f -- "${LOGFILE}"
-  exit 0
 fi
 
 HOST=$(grep -E '^[\ \t]*target[\ \t]+send-receive' /etc/btrbk/btrbk.conf)