diff --git a/scripts/pod/start-comfyui.sh b/scripts/pod/start-comfyui.sh
index f921e46..2d9aa25 100755
--- a/scripts/pod/start-comfyui.sh
+++ b/scripts/pod/start-comfyui.sh
@@ -6,6 +6,11 @@ set -euo pipefail
 
 LOG=/workspace/minimax-h3/comfyui.log
 
+# wait out any process that is mid-shutdown before deciding it's "running"
+for i in 1 2 3 4 5; do
+  pgrep -f "python3? main.py" >/dev/null || break
+  sleep 2
+done
 if pgrep -f "python3? main.py" >/dev/null; then
   echo "ComfyUI already running"
   exit 0