diff --git a/run/check.sh b/run/check.sh
index 9aaa677..263ce43 100644
--- a/run/check.sh
+++ b/run/check.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 set -u
 
 [ ! -f "/run/qemu.pid" ] && echo "QEMU not running yet.." && exit 0
+[ -f "/run/qemu.counter"] && echo "QEMU is shutting down.." && exit 1
 
 # Retrieve IP from guest VM for Docker healthcheck
 RESPONSE=$(curl -s -m 16 -S http://127.0.0.1:2210/read?command=10 2>&1)