diff --git a/main/src/main/scala/sbt/internal/server/BuildServerProtocol.scala b/main/src/main/scala/sbt/internal/server/BuildServerProtocol.scala
index 268bb2151..8f3b91801 100644
--- a/main/src/main/scala/sbt/internal/server/BuildServerProtocol.scala
+++ b/main/src/main/scala/sbt/internal/server/BuildServerProtocol.scala
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ object BuildServerProtocol {
             val _ = callback.appendExec(s"$bspReload ${r.id}", None)
 
           case r: JsonRpcRequestMessage if r.method == "build/shutdown" =>
-            ()
+            callback.jsonRpcRespond(JNull, Some(r.id))
 
           case r: JsonRpcRequestMessage if r.method == "build/exit" =>
             val _ = callback.appendExec(Shutdown, Some(r.id))