diff --git a/bundles/docker-engine/files/docker-wrapper b/bundles/docker-engine/files/docker-wrapper
index 97c0d37..fe2a010 100644
--- a/bundles/docker-engine/files/docker-wrapper
+++ b/bundles/docker-engine/files/docker-wrapper
@@ -17,7 +17,12 @@ PGID="$(id -g "${user}")"
 
 if [ "$ACTION" == "start" ]
 then
-   docker rm "${name}" || true
+    # just exit if the container is actually running already.
+    set +e
+    /usr/local/share/icinga/plugins/check_docker_container "${name}" && exit 0
+    set -e
+
+    docker rm "${name}" || true
 
     docker run -d \
         --name "${name}" \