drop database command blocking other connections

from time to time I have to drop a very large database (1TB+).  The drop database command takes a long time to
complete
while its deleting the files.  During this time, no one can connect to the database server, ps displays "startup
waiting".  This is with Postgresql 7.4.  Has this been addressed in 8.1, if not, does anyone have some ideas on how to
speed this up.

thanks
Jim