diff --git a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRef.scala b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRef.scala
index a55feb80b1..42838bd452 100644
--- a/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRef.scala
+++ b/akka-actor/src/main/scala/akka/actor/ActorRef.scala
@@ -988,7 +988,8 @@ private[akka] case class RemoteActorRef private[akka] (
   }
 
   def start(): this.type = synchronized[this.type] {
-    _status = ActorRefInternals.RUNNING
+    if (_status == ActorRefInternals.UNSTARTED)
+      _status = ActorRefInternals.RUNNING
     this
   }