diff --git a/packages/grpc-js/src/subchannel.ts b/packages/grpc-js/src/subchannel.ts
index 13612a88..6ec7da20 100644
--- a/packages/grpc-js/src/subchannel.ts
+++ b/packages/grpc-js/src/subchannel.ts
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ export class Http2SubChannel extends EventEmitter implements SubChannel {
       userAgent: string, channelArgs: Partial<ChannelOptions>) {
     super();
     this.session = http2.connect(target, connectionOptions);
+    this.session.unref();
     this.session.on('connect', () => {
       this.emit('connect');
     });