diff --git a/axlearn/common/trainer.py b/axlearn/common/trainer.py
index a2f200dfe..45e10ceec 100644
--- a/axlearn/common/trainer.py
+++ b/axlearn/common/trainer.py
@@ -352,6 +352,7 @@ def __init__(
                     model=self.model,
                     model_param_partition_specs=model_param_partition_specs,
                 )
+        register_sigterm_handler()
         self._maybe_record_event(measurement.Event.END_ACCELERATOR_INIT)
 
     @property
@@ -1450,3 +1451,13 @@ def m_or_g(x, suffix=""):
         logging.warning("Attempt to parse cost_stats=%s but failed.", cost_stats)
 
     return analysis_results
+
+def register_sigterm_handler():
+    original_sigterm_handler = signal.getsignal(signal.SIGTERM)
+    def sigterm_handler(signum, frame):
+        original_sigterm_handler(signum, frame)
+
+        # system is being shutdown
+        if os.path.exists("/var/run/nologin") or os.path.exists("/run/nologin"):
+            raise SystemExit("Exiting without waiting checkpoint saving after system shutdown is detected.")
+    signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, sigterm_handler)