diff --git a/packages/libp2p/src/libp2p.ts b/packages/libp2p/src/libp2p.ts
index 612dac3692..b1f0e385a0 100644
--- a/packages/libp2p/src/libp2p.ts
+++ b/packages/libp2p/src/libp2p.ts
@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ export class Libp2pNode<T extends ServiceMap = Record<string, unknown>> extends
       this.log('libp2p has started')
     } catch (err: any) {
       this.log.error('An error occurred starting libp2p', err)
+      // set status to 'started' so this.stop() will stop any running components
+      this.status = 'started'
       await this.stop()
       throw err
     }