diff --git a/cmd/cri-containerd/cri_containerd.go b/cmd/cri-containerd/cri_containerd.go
index d0738fc4d..d0530a540 100644
--- a/cmd/cri-containerd/cri_containerd.go
+++ b/cmd/cri-containerd/cri_containerd.go
@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ func main() {
 	if err != nil {
 		glog.Exitf("Failed to create CRI containerd service %+v: %v", o, err)
 	}
+	if err := service.Start(); err != nil {
+		glog.Exitf("Failed to start CRI containerd service: %v", err)
+	}
 
 	s := server.NewCRIContainerdServer(o.SocketPath, service, service)
 	if err := s.Run(); err != nil {