diff --git a/bootstrap.sh b/bootstrap.sh
index 0b1cf68..f35689a 100755
--- a/bootstrap.sh
+++ b/bootstrap.sh
@@ -667,6 +667,8 @@
 
     # finally re-configure salt master conf, ie: may remove ignore_class_notfound option
     log_info "State: salt.master.service"
+    # ensure salt master is started
+    saltservice_start
     retry ${SALT_STATE_RETRY} $SUDO salt-call ${SALT_OPTS} state.apply salt.master.service || true
     saltservice_start