diff --git a/src/util/virprocess.c b/src/util/virprocess.c
index 6ce5ef99a9..b6fb17db83 100644
--- a/src/util/virprocess.c
+++ b/src/util/virprocess.c
@@ -363,9 +363,8 @@ pid_t virProcessGroupGet(pid_t pid)
 /*
  * Try to kill the process and verify it has exited
  *
- * Returns 0 if it was killed gracefully, 1 if it
- * was killed forcibly, -1 if it is still alive,
- * or another error occurred.
+ * Returns 0 if it was killed, -1 if it is still alive or another error
+ * occurred.
  *
  * Callers can provide an extra delay in seconds to
  * wait longer than the default.
@@ -426,7 +425,7 @@ virProcessKillPainfullyDelay(pid_t pid, bool force, unsigned int extradelay, boo
                                      (long long)pid, signame);
                 return -1;
             }
-            return signum == SIGTERM ? 0 : 1;
+            return 0;
         }
 
         g_usleep(200 * 1000);