diff --git a/selfdrive/boardd/pandad.py b/selfdrive/boardd/pandad.py
index 1f9fddab7..c6995a045 100755
--- a/selfdrive/boardd/pandad.py
+++ b/selfdrive/boardd/pandad.py
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ def main() -> NoReturn:
     first_run = False
 
     # run boardd with all connected serials as arguments
+    os.environ['MANAGER_DAEMON'] = 'boardd'
     os.chdir(os.path.join(BASEDIR, "selfdrive/boardd"))
     subprocess.run(["./boardd", *panda_serials], check=True)