diff --git a/test/functional/feature_help.py b/test/functional/feature_help.py
index 1e62d7a4092..fd4a72f628f 100755
--- a/test/functional/feature_help.py
+++ b/test/functional/feature_help.py
@@ -36,7 +36,11 @@ class HelpTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
         output = self.nodes[0].process.stdout.read()
         assert b'version' in output
         self.log.info("Version text received: {} (...)".format(output[0:60]))
+        # Clean up TestNode state
         self.nodes[0].running = False
+        self.nodes[0].process = None
+        self.nodes[0].rpc_connected = False
+        self.nodes[0].rpc = None
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     HelpTest().main()
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
index 543643f2731..1dbd262063f 100755
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
@@ -148,6 +148,8 @@ class BitcoinTestFramework():
             if self.nodes:
                 self.stop_nodes()
         else:
+            for node in self.nodes:
+                node.cleanup_on_exit = False
             self.log.info("Note: bitcoinds were not stopped and may still be running")
 
         if not self.options.nocleanup and not self.options.noshutdown and success != TestStatus.FAILED:
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/test_node.py b/test/functional/test_framework/test_node.py
index 4a4ab046c5f..966b0463c26 100755
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/test_node.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/test_node.py
@@ -88,9 +88,20 @@ class TestNode():
         self.rpc = None
         self.url = None
         self.log = logging.getLogger('TestFramework.node%d' % i)
+        self.cleanup_on_exit = True # Whether to kill the node when this object goes away
 
         self.p2ps = []
 
+    def __del__(self):
+        # Ensure that we don't leave any bitcoind processes lying around after
+        # the test ends
+        if self.process and self.cleanup_on_exit:
+            # Should only happen on test failure
+            # Avoid using logger, as that may have already been shutdown when
+            # this destructor is called.
+            print("Cleaning up leftover process")
+            self.process.kill()
+
     def __getattr__(self, name):
         """Dispatches any unrecognised messages to the RPC connection or a CLI instance."""
         if self.use_cli: