diff --git a/lib/ansible/executor/process/worker.py b/lib/ansible/executor/process/worker.py
index c699015670c..1da7c869fe6 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/executor/process/worker.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/executor/process/worker.py
@@ -105,10 +105,10 @@ class WorkerProcess(multiprocessing_context.Process):  # type: ignore[name-defin
         with display._lock, cm:
             super(WorkerProcess, self).start()
 
-    def terminate(self):
+    def close(self):
         if self._master:
             os.close(self._master)
-        super().terminate()
+        super().close()
 
     def _hard_exit(self, e):
         '''
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/__init__.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/__init__.py
index e8862683225..9d62efa14a4 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/strategy/__init__.py
@@ -399,6 +399,8 @@ class StrategyBase:
 
                 worker_prc = self._workers[self._cur_worker]
                 if worker_prc is None or not worker_prc.is_alive():
+                    if worker_prc:
+                        worker_prc.close()
                     self._queued_task_cache[(host.name, task._uuid)] = {
                         'host': host,
                         'task': task,