diff --git a/src/initscripts/init.d/networking/red.up/99-geoip-database b/src/initscripts/init.d/networking/red.up/99-geoip-database
index 4bd3ee2ab..335006a69 100644
--- a/src/initscripts/init.d/networking/red.up/99-geoip-database
+++ b/src/initscripts/init.d/networking/red.up/99-geoip-database
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ done
 
 # Download ruleset if none has been found.
 if ! ${found}; then
-	/usr/local/bin/xt_geoip_update >/dev/null 2>&1
+	/usr/local/bin/xt_geoip_update >/dev/null 2>&1 &
 fi
 
 exit 0