diff --git a/atom/common/node_bindings.cc b/atom/common/node_bindings.cc
index 36b125fefb..f8e2573e0a 100644
--- a/atom/common/node_bindings.cc
+++ b/atom/common/node_bindings.cc
@@ -186,7 +186,10 @@ node::Environment* NodeBindings::CreateEnvironment(
   PathService::Get(content::CHILD_PROCESS_EXE, &helper_exec_path);
   process.Set("helperExecPath", helper_exec_path);
 
-  if (base::CommandLine::ForCurrentProcess()->HasSwitch("debug-brk"))
+  // Set process._debugWaitConnect if --debug-brk was specified to stop
+  // the debugger on the first line
+  if (is_browser_ &&
+      base::CommandLine::ForCurrentProcess()->HasSwitch("debug-brk"))
     process.Set("_debugWaitConnect", true);
 
   return env;