diff --git a/flink-core/src/main/java/org/apache/flink/core/security/FlinkSecurityManager.java b/flink-core/src/main/java/org/apache/flink/core/security/FlinkSecurityManager.java
index cab2768c9b25b..05faf6f75b97e 100644
--- a/flink-core/src/main/java/org/apache/flink/core/security/FlinkSecurityManager.java
+++ b/flink-core/src/main/java/org/apache/flink/core/security/FlinkSecurityManager.java
@@ -181,6 +181,8 @@ public void checkExit(int status) {
         // At this point, exit is determined. Halt if defined, otherwise check ended, JVM will call
         // System.exit
         if (haltOnSystemExit) {
+            // null the security manager to prevent infinite recursion
+            System.setSecurityManager(null);
             Runtime.getRuntime().halt(status);
         }
     }