diff --git a/lock.go b/lock.go
index 4e195cdda..767f21511 100644
--- a/lock.go
+++ b/lock.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/restic/restic/backend"
 	"github.com/restic/restic/debug"
 	"github.com/restic/restic/repository"
+	"runtime"
 )
 
 // Lock represents a process locking the repository for an operation.
@@ -209,11 +210,14 @@ func (l *Lock) Stale() bool {
 	}
 	defer proc.Release()
 
-	debug.Log("Lock.Stale", "sending SIGHUP to process %d\n", l.PID)
-	err = proc.Signal(syscall.SIGHUP)
-	if err != nil {
-		debug.Log("Lock.Stale", "signal error: %v, lock is probably stale\n", err)
-		return true
+	// Windows does not have SIGHUP
+	if runtime.GOOS != "windows" {
+		debug.Log("Lock.Stale", "sending SIGHUP to process %d\n", l.PID)
+		err = proc.Signal(syscall.SIGHUP)
+		if err != nil {
+			debug.Log("Lock.Stale", "signal error: %v, lock is probably stale\n", err)
+			return true
+		}
 	}
 
 	debug.Log("Lock.Stale", "lock not stale\n")