diff --git a/pty_session.py b/pty_session.py
index 937d843..6d5b9eb 100644
--- a/pty_session.py
+++ b/pty_session.py
@@ -102,6 +102,15 @@ class _UnixPty:
                     os.kill(self.pid, signal.SIGKILL)
                 except OSError:
                     pass
+            try:  # reap immediately and capture the exit status
+                wpid, status = os.waitpid(self.pid, 0)
+                if wpid == self.pid:
+                    if os.WIFEXITED(status):
+                        self._exit_code = os.WEXITSTATUS(status)
+                    elif os.WIFSIGNALED(status):
+                        self._exit_code = -os.WTERMSIG(status)
+            except OSError:
+                pass
         if self.fd is not None:
             try:
                 os.close(self.fd)
diff --git a/tests/test_pty_session.py b/tests/test_pty_session.py
index a4105f1..5a37246 100644
--- a/tests/test_pty_session.py
+++ b/tests/test_pty_session.py
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ def test_terminate_stops_session():
     while s.is_alive() and time.time() < deadline:
         time.sleep(0.05)
     assert s.is_alive() is False
+    assert s.exit_code() == -9  # killed by SIGKILL
 
 
 def test_resize_applies_to_pty():