diff --git a/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.postrm b/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.postrm
index f8a95df54ea..1ead4098906 100644
--- a/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.postrm
+++ b/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.postrm
@@ -11,6 +11,11 @@ MYADMIN="/usr/bin/mysqladmin --defaults-file=/etc/mysql/debian.cnf"
 # do it himself. No database directories should be removed while the server
 # is running!
 stop_server() {
+  # Return immediately if there are no mysql processes running
+  # as there is no point in trying to shutdown in that case.
+  # Compatibility with versions that ran 'mariadbd'
+  if ! pgrep -x --nslist pid --ns $$ "mysqld|mariadbd" > /dev/null; then return; fi
+
   set +e
   if [ -x /usr/sbin/invoke-rc.d ]; then
     invoke-rc.d mysql stop
diff --git a/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.preinst b/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.preinst
index 161d9caee6e..13dda71998a 100644
--- a/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.preinst
+++ b/debian/mariadb-server-10.2.preinst
@@ -22,10 +22,11 @@ mysql_upgradedir=/var/lib/mysql-upgrade
 # is running! Another mysqld in e.g. a different chroot is fine for us.
 stop_server() {
     if [ ! -x /etc/init.d/mysql ]; then return; fi
-
-    # Return immediately if there are no mysql processes running
+    # Return immediately if there are no mysql processes running on a host
+    # (leave containerized processes with the same name in other namespaces)
     # as there is no point in trying to shutdown in that case.
-    if ! pgrep --ns $$ mysqld > /dev/null; then return; fi
+    # Compatibility with versions that ran 'mariadbd'
+    if ! pgrep -x --nslist pid --ns $$ "mysqld|mariadbd" > /dev/null; then return; fi
 
     set +e
     if [ -x /usr/sbin/invoke-rc.d ]; then