diff --git a/lib/functions.sh b/lib/functions.sh
index 6dc86bf..3760a9d 100644
--- a/lib/functions.sh
+++ b/lib/functions.sh
@@ -358,10 +358,25 @@ start_service() {
   SERVICE="$1"
   COMMAND="$2"
   RETRY="$3"
+  local DEPENDS=""
 
   # Start /federated/apps/SERVICE with output to /dev/null
   echo -ne "* Starting $SERVICE.."
 
+  if [ -e /federated/services/$SERVICE/service ]; then
+    . /federated/services/$SERVICE/services
+    if [ -n "$DEPENDS" ]; then
+      echo "Ensuring dependencies are up and running"
+      local dep
+      for dep in $DEPENDS; do
+	echo "* ... $dep"
+        if ! /federated/bin/check $dep; then
+          /federated/bin/fix $dep
+        fi
+      done
+    fi
+  fi
+
   if [ $DEBUG ]; then
     # Start /federated/apps/SERVICE with output to console for debug
     docker compose -f /federated/apps/$SERVICE/docker-compose.yml -p $SERVICE up