diff --git a/django_q/cluster.py b/django_q/cluster.py
index aa41397..ffae237 100644
--- a/django_q/cluster.py
+++ b/django_q/cluster.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ standard_library.install_aliases()
 
 # Standard
 import importlib
-import os
 import signal
 import socket
 import sys
@@ -31,7 +30,7 @@ from django import db
 import signing
 import tasks
 
-from django_q.conf import Conf, redis_client, logger, psutil
+from django_q.conf import Conf, redis_client, logger, psutil, get_ppid
 from django_q.models import Task, Success, Schedule
 from django_q.monitor import Status, Stat, ping_redis
 
@@ -111,7 +110,7 @@ class Sentinel(object):
         signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, signal.SIG_IGN)
         signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, signal.SIG_DFL)
         self.pid = current_process().pid
-        self.parent_pid = os.getppid()
+        self.parent_pid = get_ppid()
         self.name = current_process().name
         self.list_key = list_key
         self.r = redis_client
diff --git a/django_q/conf.py b/django_q/conf.py
index 9fb5f6d..16a00b1 100644
--- a/django_q/conf.py
+++ b/django_q/conf.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from django.utils.translation import ugettext_lazy as _
 from django.conf import settings
 
 # external
+import os
 import redis
 
 # optional
@@ -143,3 +144,13 @@ def get_redis_client():
 
 # redis client
 redis_client = get_redis_client()
+
+
+# get parent pid compatibility
+def get_ppid():
+    if hasattr(os, 'getppid'):
+        return os.getppid()
+    elif psutil:
+        return psutil.Process(os.getpid()).ppid()
+    else:
+        raise OSError('Your OS does not support `os.getppid`. Please install `psutil` as an alternative provider.')