diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/bltins/misc.c b/src/cmd/ksh93/bltins/misc.c
index 0f86a1831..9d299d9a3 100644
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/bltins/misc.c
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/bltins/misc.c
@@ -418,8 +418,7 @@ int    b_bg(register int n,register char *argv[],Shbltin_t *context)
 	argv += opt_info.index;
 	if(!sh_isoption(SH_MONITOR) || !job.jobcontrol)
 	{
-		if(sh_isstate(SH_INTERACTIVE))
-			errormsg(SH_DICT,ERROR_exit(1),e_no_jctl);
+		errormsg(SH_DICT,ERROR_exit(1),e_no_jctl);
 		return(1);
 	}
 	if(flag=='d' && *argv==0)
diff --git a/src/cmd/ksh93/sh/subshell.c b/src/cmd/ksh93/sh/subshell.c
index 51bc5aa16..0de8fe914 100644
--- a/src/cmd/ksh93/sh/subshell.c
+++ b/src/cmd/ksh93/sh/subshell.c
@@ -633,6 +633,7 @@ Sfio_t *sh_subshell(Shell_t *shp,Shnode_t *t, volatile int flags, int comsub)
 		if(shp->savesig < 0)
 		{
 			shp->savesig = 0;
+			sh_offstate(SH_INTERACTIVE);
 			sh_exec(t,flags);
 		}
 	}