diff --git a/test_audio_routing.c b/test_audio_routing.c
index f7551d6..33319c1 100644
--- a/test_audio_routing.c
+++ b/test_audio_routing.c
@@ -181,6 +181,13 @@ static int start_looper(const char *client_name) {
     
     // Wait for looper to start
     usleep(500000);  // 500ms
+    
+    // Check if looper is still running
+    if (kill(looper_pid, 0) != 0) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "Looper process died\n");
+        return -1;
+    }
+    
     return 0;
 }