diff --git a/xCAT/postscripts/xcatlib.sh b/xCAT/postscripts/xcatlib.sh
index 2c6a3aa44..4c3cf0210 100755
--- a/xCAT/postscripts/xcatlib.sh
+++ b/xCAT/postscripts/xcatlib.sh
@@ -549,6 +549,8 @@ function checkservicestatus {
          retcode=1
       elif echo $output|grep -E -i "^failed$";then
          retcode=2
+      elif echo $output|grep -E -i "^activating$";then
+         retcode=17
       fi
    elif [ -n "$svcjob"  ];then
       output=$(initctl status $svcjob)