diff --git a/pyquarantine/mailer.py b/pyquarantine/mailer.py
index bd51a8c..e2bbdbc 100644
--- a/pyquarantine/mailer.py
+++ b/pyquarantine/mailer.py
@@ -13,14 +13,14 @@
 #
 
 import logging
+import multiprocessing as mp
 import smtplib
 
-from multiprocessing import Process, Queue
 from queue import Full as QueueFull
 
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-queue = Queue(maxsize=50)
+queue = mp.Queue(maxsize=50)
 process = None
 
 
@@ -72,7 +72,8 @@ def sendmail(smtp_host, smtp_port, qid, mailfrom, recipients, mail,
 
     # start mailprocess if it is not started yet
     if process is None:
-        process = Process(target=mailprocess)
+        ctx = mp.get_context('fork')
+        process = ctx.Process(target=mailprocess)
         process.daemon = True
         logger.debug("starting mailer process")
         process.start()