diff --git a/src/sig.c b/src/sig.c
index e71c87dd..b532fcf4 100644
--- a/src/sig.c
+++ b/src/sig.c
@@ -318,9 +318,8 @@ void do_shutdown(shutop_t op)
 		do_iterate_proc(kill_cb, &signo);
 	}
 
-	/* Exit plugins and API gracefully */
+	/* Exit plugins gracefully */
 	plugin_exit();
-	api_exit();
 
 	/* We can no longer act on conditions, activate script runner */
 	cond_exit();
diff --git a/src/sm.c b/src/sm.c
index 1e6cabe6..1effeb38 100644
--- a/src/sm.c
+++ b/src/sm.c
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ restart:
 
 		/* Restore terse mode and run hooks before shutdown */
 		if (runlevel == 0 || runlevel == 6) {
+			api_exit();
 			log_exit();
 			plugin_run_hooks(HOOK_SHUTDOWN);
 		}