diff --git a/plinth/daemon.py b/plinth/daemon.py
index 9c8fba8d9..8b91a8148 100644
--- a/plinth/daemon.py
+++ b/plinth/daemon.py
@@ -91,6 +91,13 @@ class Daemon(app.LeaderComponent, log.LogEmitter):
     def ensure_running(self):
         """Ensure a service is running and return to previous state."""
         from plinth.privileged import service as service_privileged
+
+        if action_utils.service_show(self.unit)['LoadState'] == 'not-found':
+            # The service's package not installed yet, don't try to start it
+            # and later stop it after it is installed.
+            yield False  # Not running
+            return
+
         starting_state = self.is_running()
         if not starting_state:
             service_privileged.enable(self.unit)
diff --git a/plinth/tests/test_daemon.py b/plinth/tests/test_daemon.py
index 2fe05179c..879774db2 100644
--- a/plinth/tests/test_daemon.py
+++ b/plinth/tests/test_daemon.py
@@ -145,12 +145,21 @@ def test_is_running(service_is_running, daemon):
 
 @patch('plinth.app.apps_init')
 @patch('plinth.action_utils.service_is_running')
+@patch('plinth.action_utils.service_show')
 @patch('subprocess.run')
-def test_ensure_running(subprocess_run, service_is_running, apps_init,
-                        app_list, mock_privileged, daemon):
+def test_ensure_running(subprocess_run, service_show, service_is_running,
+                        apps_init, app_list, mock_privileged, daemon):
     """Test that checking that the daemon is running works."""
     common_args = dict(stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
                        check=False)
+
+    service_show.return_value = {'LoadState': 'not-found'}
+    with daemon.ensure_running() as starting_state:
+        assert not starting_state
+        assert subprocess_run.mock_calls == []
+
+    service_show.return_value = {'LoadState': 'loaded'}
+
     service_is_running.return_value = True
     with daemon.ensure_running() as starting_state:
         assert starting_state