diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/ui/knotty.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/ui/knotty.py
index 761c2dddaf..7370a1adfd 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/ui/knotty.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/ui/knotty.py
@@ -625,7 +625,8 @@ def main(server, eventHandler, params, tf = TerminalFilter):
 
     printintervaldelta = 10 * 60 # 10 minutes
     printinterval = printintervaldelta
-    lastprint = time.time()
+    pinginterval = 1 * 60 # 1 minute
+    lastevent = lastprint = time.time()
 
     termfilter = tf(main, helper, console_handlers, params.options.quiet)
     atexit.register(termfilter.finish)
@@ -637,11 +638,20 @@ def main(server, eventHandler, params, tf = TerminalFilter):
                 printinterval += printintervaldelta
             event = eventHandler.waitEvent(0)
             if event is None:
+                if (lastevent + pinginterval) <= time.time():
+                    ret, error = server.runCommand(["ping"])
+                    if error or not ret:
+                        termfilter.clearFooter()
+                        print("No reply after pinging server (%s, %s), exiting." % (str(error), str(ret)))
+                        return_value = 3
+                        main.shutdown = 2
+                    lastevent = time.time()
                 if not parseprogress:
                     termfilter.updateFooter()
                 event = eventHandler.waitEvent(0.25)
                 if event is None:
                     continue
+            lastevent = time.time()
             helper.eventHandler(event)
             if isinstance(event, bb.runqueue.runQueueExitWait):
                 if not main.shutdown: