diff --git a/pkg/minikube/machine/fix.go b/pkg/minikube/machine/fix.go
index 2a69a37472ca..e495ad850c93 100644
--- a/pkg/minikube/machine/fix.go
+++ b/pkg/minikube/machine/fix.go
@@ -199,6 +199,9 @@ func adjustGuestClock(h hostRunner, t time.Time) error {
 // machineExists checks if virtual machine does not exist
 // if the virtual machine exists, return true
 func machineExists(d string, s state.State, err error) (bool, error) {
+	if s == state.Running || s == state.Stopped {
+		return true, nil
+	}
 	switch d {
 	case driver.HyperKit:
 		if s == state.None || (err != nil && err.Error() == "connection is shut down") {