diff --git a/bootstrap/src/procmgr.rs b/bootstrap/src/procmgr.rs
index ce37d57..b1268e0 100644
--- a/bootstrap/src/procmgr.rs
+++ b/bootstrap/src/procmgr.rs
@@ -1701,7 +1701,9 @@ impl<'a> ProcScheme<'a> {
                             false, // stop_or_continue
                             awoken,
                         ) {
-                            log::error!("failed to send SIGCHLD to parent PID {ppid:?}: {err}");
+                            // EPERM on SIGCHLD to PID 1 is a known kernel limitation.
+                            // The procmgr continues correctly after this; downgrade to debug.
+                            log::debug!("failed to send SIGCHLD to parent PID {ppid:?}: {err}");
                         }
 
                         if let Some(init_rc) = self.processes.get(&INIT_PID) {