diff --git a/src/core/service.c b/src/core/service.c
index 1c127bd..eafdbe5 100644
--- a/src/core/service.c
+++ b/src/core/service.c
@@ -2487,6 +2487,7 @@ static int service_start(Unit *u) {
         r = service_start_limit_test(s);
         if (r < 0) {
                 service_notify_sockets_dead(s, true);
+                service_set_state(s, SERVICE_FAILED);
                 return r;
         }
 
