diff --git a/storage/maria/ma_checkpoint.c b/storage/maria/ma_checkpoint.c
index de8a9610..6f2a2ff 100644
--- a/storage/maria/ma_checkpoint.c
+++ b/storage/maria/ma_checkpoint.c
@@ -333,14 +333,18 @@ int ma_checkpoint_init(ulong interval)
     res= 1;
   else if (interval > 0)
   {
+    pthread_attr_t attr;
     compile_time_assert(sizeof(void *) >= sizeof(ulong));
+    pthread_attr_init(&attr);
+    pthread_attr_setdetachstate(&attr, PTHREAD_CREATE_DETACHED);
     if (!(res= mysql_thread_create(key_thread_checkpoint,
-                                   &th, NULL, ma_checkpoint_background,
+                                   &th, &attr, ma_checkpoint_background,
                                    (void *)interval)))
     {
       /* thread lives, will have to be killed */
       checkpoint_control.status= THREAD_RUNNING;
     }
+    pthread_attr_destroy(&attr);
   }
   DBUG_RETURN(res);
 }