diff --git a/src/cli/bootupctl.rs b/src/cli/bootupctl.rs
index 123d42bd..6775701e 100644
--- a/src/cli/bootupctl.rs
+++ b/src/cli/bootupctl.rs
@@ -154,6 +154,12 @@ fn ensure_running_in_systemd() -> Result<()> {
     require_root_permission()?;
     let running_in_systemd = running_in_systemd();
     if !running_in_systemd {
+        // Clear any failure status that may have happened previously
+        let _r = Command::new("systemctl")
+            .arg("reset-failed")
+            .arg("bootupd.service")
+            .spawn()?
+            .wait()?;
         let r = Command::new("systemd-run")
             .args(SYSTEMD_ARGS_BOOTUPD)
             .args(std::env::args())