diff --git a/providers-sdk/v1/plugin/service.go b/providers-sdk/v1/plugin/service.go
index 2d4cbad04c..382efcc90b 100644
--- a/providers-sdk/v1/plugin/service.go
+++ b/providers-sdk/v1/plugin/service.go
@@ -247,7 +247,8 @@ func (s *Service) Heartbeat(req *HeartbeatReq) (*HeartbeatRes, error) {
 		s.heartbeatLock.Unlock()
 
 		if isDead {
-			os.Exit(1)
+			// use 4 since we actually do not want to reach the point, see tetraphobia
+			os.Exit(4)
 		}
 	}()