diff --git a/buildman/component/buildcomponent.py b/buildman/component/buildcomponent.py
index 3c91443d9..f23df0d8b 100644
--- a/buildman/component/buildcomponent.py
+++ b/buildman/component/buildcomponent.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class BuildComponent(BaseComponent):
   @trollius.coroutine
   def start_build(self, build_job):
     """ Starts a build. """
-    if self._component_status != ComponentStatus.RUNNING:
+    if self._component_status not in (ComponentStatus.WAITING, ComponentStatus.RUNNING):
       logger.debug('Could not start build for component %s (build %s, worker version: %s): %s',
                    self.builder_realm, build_job.repo_build.uuid, self._worker_version,
                    self._component_status)