diff --git a/verifier/base_verifier.py b/verifier/base_verifier.py
index adafab3..d3e453d 100644
--- a/verifier/base_verifier.py
+++ b/verifier/base_verifier.py
@@ -166,6 +166,7 @@ class Verifier(object):
 
     def run(self):
         logger = _get_child_logger()
+        self.run_startup()
         if self.enable_notifications:
             exchange_name = self.exchange()
             exchange = message_service.create_exchange(
@@ -219,6 +220,9 @@ class Verifier(object):
             self._run()
         return False
 
+    def run_startup(self):
+        pass
+
     def verify_for_range(self, ending_max, callback=None):
         pass
 
diff --git a/verifier/nova_verifier.py b/verifier/nova_verifier.py
index 0700a33..6ea33f8 100644
--- a/verifier/nova_verifier.py
+++ b/verifier/nova_verifier.py
@@ -356,6 +356,16 @@ class NovaVerifier(base_verifier.Verifier):
                                    models.InstanceExists.VERIFYING)
         return count+sent_unverified_count
 
+    def run_startup(self):
+        logger = _get_child_logger()
+        exists = models.InstanceExists.find(
+            ending_max=self._utcnow(), status=models.InstanceExists.VERIFYING)
+        count = exists.count()
+        if count > 0:
+            msg = "nova: Cleaning up %s exists stuck in VERIFYING status..." % count
+            logger.info(msg)
+            exists.update(status=models.InstanceExists.PENDING)
+
     def reconcile_failed(self):
         for failed_exist in self.failed:
             self.reconciler.failed_validation(failed_exist)