diff --git a/wally/start_vms.py b/wally/start_vms.py
index af7df71..6ce91f8 100644
--- a/wally/start_vms.py
+++ b/wally/start_vms.py
@@ -99,6 +99,15 @@
     cmd = "bash {spath} >/dev/null".format(spath=spath)
     subprocess.check_call(cmd, shell=True, env=env)
 
+    conn = nova_connect(name, passwd, tenant, auth_url)
+    while True:
+        status = conn.images.find(name='wally_ubuntu').status
+        if status == 'ACTIVE':
+            break
+        msg = "Image {0} is still in {1} state. Waiting 10 more seconds"
+        logger.info(msg.format('wally_ubuntu', status))
+        time.sleep(10)
+
 
 def prepare_os(nova, params):
     allow_ssh(nova, params['security_group'])