diff --git a/node-daemon/pvcnoded/Daemon.py b/node-daemon/pvcnoded/Daemon.py
index e01229a5..ad12593c 100644
--- a/node-daemon/pvcnoded/Daemon.py
+++ b/node-daemon/pvcnoded/Daemon.py
@@ -693,7 +693,13 @@ else:
         zkhandler.writedata(zk_conn, { '/primary_node': myhostname })
 
 ###############################################################################
-# PHASE 7 - Ensure Libvirt is working
+# PHASE 7a - Ensure IPMI is reachable and working
+###############################################################################
+if not fencing.verifyIPMI(config['ipmi_hostname'], config['ipmi_username'], config['ipmi_password']):
+    logger.out('Our IPMI is not reachable; fencing of this node will likely fail', state='w')
+
+###############################################################################
+# PHASE 7b - Ensure Libvirt is working
 ###############################################################################
 
 if enable_hypervisor:
diff --git a/node-daemon/pvcnoded/fencing.py b/node-daemon/pvcnoded/fencing.py
index 93fbb619..e58cc22d 100644
--- a/node-daemon/pvcnoded/fencing.py
+++ b/node-daemon/pvcnoded/fencing.py
@@ -144,3 +144,16 @@ def rebootViaIPMI(ipmi_hostname, ipmi_user, ipmi_password, logger):
         logger.out('Failed to reboot dead node', state='e')
         print(ipmi_reset_stderr)
         return False
+
+#
+# Verify that IPMI connectivity to this host exists (used during node init)
+#
+def verifyIPMI(ipmi_hostname, ipmi_user, ipmi_password):
+    ipmi_command_status = '/usr/bin/ipmitool -I lanplus -H {} -U {} -P {} chassis power status'.format(
+        ipmi_hostname, ipmi_user, ipmi_password
+    )
+    ipmi_status_retcode, ipmi_status_stdout, ipmi_status_stderr = common.run_os_command(ipmi_command_status, timeout=2)
+    if ipmi_status_retcode == 0 and ipmi_status_stdout != "Chassis Power is on":
+        return True
+    else:
+        return False