diff --git a/xCAT-client/bin/db2sqlsetup b/xCAT-client/bin/db2sqlsetup
index 783edb3f4..cfeeb28c5 100755
--- a/xCAT-client/bin/db2sqlsetup
+++ b/xCAT-client/bin/db2sqlsetup
@@ -950,9 +950,15 @@ sub db2start
     my $rc = &rundb2cmd($cmd);
     if ($rc != 0)
     {
-        xCAT::MsgUtils->message("W", " $cmd failed.");
-        &startxcatd;
-        exit(1);
+        #sleep and try one more time
+        xCAT::MsgUtils->message("W", " $cmd failed. Will retry.");
+        sleep 20;
+        $rc = &rundb2cmd($cmd);
+        if ($rc != 0) {
+          xCAT::MsgUtils->message("W", " $cmd failed.");
+          &startxcatd;
+          exit(1);
+        }
     }
 
 }