diff --git a/src/main/java/emissary/command/ServiceCommand.java b/src/main/java/emissary/command/ServiceCommand.java
index 0da3624e86..8c5b776878 100644
--- a/src/main/java/emissary/command/ServiceCommand.java
+++ b/src/main/java/emissary/command/ServiceCommand.java
@@ -113,8 +113,13 @@ public void run(CommandLine c) {
                     throw new EmissaryRuntimeException("Emissary " + getServiceName() + " is already running");
                 }
             } else {
-                // no running server so fire it up
-                startService();
+                if (isPause()) {
+                    // we hadn't intended to start the service, so don't try to do so now
+                    throw new EmissaryRuntimeException("Error pausing service: request returned status " + response.getStatus());
+                } else {
+                    // no running server so fire it up
+                    startService();
+                }
             }
         }
     }