diff --git a/spec/spec-bootstrap.coffee b/spec/spec-bootstrap.coffee
index 1b0ffcd48..f3a961207 100644
--- a/spec/spec-bootstrap.coffee
+++ b/spec/spec-bootstrap.coffee
@@ -7,4 +7,4 @@ try
   runSpecSuite "spec-suite"
 catch e
   console.error(e.stack)
-  atom.exit(1)
+  atom.exit(1) if window.location.params.exitWhenDone