Using the latest SLIME from CVS HEAD, I get this: M-x slime * ;; Swank started at port: 32880. debugger invoked on a SIMPLE-ERROR in thread 3084629696: There is no applicable method for the generic function #<STANDARD-GENERIC-FUNCTION SWANK-BACKEND:SPAWN (0)> when called with arguments (# :NAME "Swank"). Type HELP for debugger help, or (SB-EXT:QUIT) to exit from SBCL. restarts (invokable by number or by possibly-abbreviated name): 0: [ABORT] Exit debugger, returning to top level. ((SB-PCL::FAST-METHOD NO-APPLICABLE-METHOD (T)) #<unavailable argument> #<unavailable argument> #<STANDARD-GENERIC-FUNCTION SWANK-BACKEND:SPAWN (0)> (#<CLOSURE # {958D2AD}> :NAME "Swank")) Any workaround? -Marc