diff --git a/playbooks/groups/releng-compose.yml b/playbooks/groups/releng-compose.yml
index da257f0a6e..cbafe4278c 100644
--- a/playbooks/groups/releng-compose.yml
+++ b/playbooks/groups/releng-compose.yml
@@ -91,6 +91,12 @@
     tags:
     - containerrebuild
 
+  - name: enable and start docker service
+    service:
+      name: docker
+      state: started
+      enabled: yes
+
   - name: install ansible for container automated rebuilds
     package:
       name: "{{item}}"