diff --git a/pkg/skaffold/watch/triggers.go b/pkg/skaffold/watch/triggers.go
index 07c11e62bed..e3349dd0deb 100644
--- a/pkg/skaffold/watch/triggers.go
+++ b/pkg/skaffold/watch/triggers.go
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ func (t *pollTrigger) Start(ctx context.Context) (<-chan bool, error) {
 				trigger <- true
 			case <-ctx.Done():
 				ticker.Stop()
+				return
 			}
 		}
 	}()