diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests-ci.yml b/.github/workflows/tests-ci.yml
index 531edd1ea..b2fb69bdb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests-ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests-ci.yml
@@ -67,7 +67,9 @@ jobs:
         run: npm run lint --ws
 
       - name: Run dwn-server (background)
-        run: node node_modules/@web5/dwn-server/dist/esm/src/main.js &
+        run: |
+          node node_modules/@web5/dwn-server/dist/esm/src/main.js &
+          echo "DWN_SERVER_BACKGROUND_PROCESS=$!" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Run tests for all packages
         run: npm run test:node --ws -- --color
@@ -75,7 +77,7 @@ jobs:
           TEST_DWN_URL: http://localhost:3000
 
       - name: Terminate dwn-server
-        run: kill $(jobs -p)
+        run: kill $DWN_SERVER_BACKGROUND_PROCESS || true
 
       - name: Upload test coverage to Codecov
         uses: codecov/codecov-action@eaaf4bedf32dbdc6b720b63067d99c4d77d6047d # v3.1.4
@@ -129,13 +131,15 @@ jobs:
         run: npm run build
 
       - name: Run dwn-server (background)
-        run: node node_modules/@web5/dwn-server/dist/esm/src/main.js &
+        run: |
+          node node_modules/@web5/dwn-server/dist/esm/src/main.js &
+          echo "DWN_SERVER_BACKGROUND_PROCESS=$!" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Run tests for all packages
         run: npm run test:browser --ws
 
       - name: Terminate dwn-server
-        run: kill $(jobs -p)
+        run: kill $DWN_SERVER_BACKGROUND_PROCESS || true
 
   web5-spec:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest