diff --git a/unikube/local/providers/k3d/k3d.py b/unikube/local/providers/k3d/k3d.py
index 204cae6..fc6d9b1 100644
--- a/unikube/local/providers/k3d/k3d.py
+++ b/unikube/local/providers/k3d/k3d.py
@@ -153,7 +153,9 @@ def create(
 
     def start(self):
         arguments = ["cluster", "start", self.k3d_cluster_name]
-        self._execute(arguments)
+        p = self._execute(arguments)
+        if p.returncode != 0:
+            return False
         data = self.storage.get()
         data.kubeconfig_path = self.get_kubeconfig()
         self.storage.set(data)