diff --git a/singleapplication.cpp b/singleapplication.cpp
index 340519a..cf35adb 100644
--- a/singleapplication.cpp
+++ b/singleapplication.cpp
@@ -26,9 +26,36 @@
 #include <QtCore/QByteArray>
 #include <QtCore/QSharedMemory>
 
+#ifdef Q_OS_UNIX
+#include <signal.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#endif
+#ifdef Q_OS_WIN
+#include <windows.h>
+#endif
+
 #include "singleapplication.h"
 #include "singleapplication_p.h"
 
+static bool isProcessRunning( qint64 pid )
+{
+    if ( pid <= 0 )
+        return false;
+
+#ifdef Q_OS_UNIX
+    return kill( static_cast<pid_t>( pid ), 0 ) == 0 || errno != ESRCH;
+#endif
+#ifdef Q_OS_WIN
+    HANDLE hProcess = OpenProcess( PROCESS_QUERY_LIMITED_INFORMATION, FALSE, static_cast<DWORD>( pid ) );
+    if ( hProcess == NULL )
+        return false;
+    DWORD exitCode;
+    bool running = GetExitCodeProcess( hProcess, &exitCode ) && exitCode == STILL_ACTIVE;
+    CloseHandle( hProcess );
+    return running;
+#endif
+}
+
 /**
  * @brief Constructor. Checks and fires up LocalServer or closes the program
  * if another instance already exists
@@ -138,6 +165,13 @@ SingleApplication::SingleApplication( int &argc, char *argv[], bool allowSeconda
       }
     }
 
+    // If the recorded primary PID is no longer running (e.g. force-killed),
+    // take over as the primary instance
+    if( inst->primary && !isProcessRunning( inst->primaryPid ) ){
+        qWarning() << "SingleApplication: Primary instance (PID" << inst->primaryPid << ") is no longer running. Taking over.";
+        d->initializeMemoryBlock();
+    }
+
     if( inst->primary == false ){
         d->startPrimary();
         if( ! d->memory->unlock() ){