diff --git a/pvcd.py b/pvcd.py
index 152446f0..48279091 100755
--- a/pvcd.py
+++ b/pvcd.py
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ def updatenodes(new_node_list):
             t_node[node] = NodeInstance.NodeInstance(node, node_list, zk);
             if node == myhostname:
                 t_node[node].start()
+                time.sleep(0.5)
 
         node_state = t_node[node].getstate()
         print(node_state)