diff --git a/bridgehead b/bridgehead
index b204383..f18311a 100755
--- a/bridgehead
+++ b/bridgehead
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ if [ -f "$PROJECT/docker-compose.override.yml" ]; then
 	OVERRIDE+=" -f ./$PROJECT/docker-compose.override.yml"
 fi
 
+detectCompose
+
 case "$ACTION" in
 	start)
 		hc_send log "Bridgehead $PROJECT startup: Checking requirements ..."
diff --git a/lib/functions.sh b/lib/functions.sh
index e3df4ad..b5a03a0 100755
--- a/lib/functions.sh
+++ b/lib/functions.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,15 @@
 
 source lib/log.sh
 
+detectCompose() {
+	if [[ "$(docker compose version 2>/dev/null)" == *"Docker Compose version"* ]]; then
+		COMPOSE="docker compose"
+	else
+		COMPOSE="docker-compose"
+		# This is intended to fail on startup in the next prereq check.
+	fi
+}
+
 exitIfNotRoot() {
   if [ "$EUID" -ne 0 ]; then
     log "ERROR" "Please run as root"
diff --git a/lib/prerequisites.sh b/lib/prerequisites.sh
index dfd3cdd..d90d50e 100755
--- a/lib/prerequisites.sh
+++ b/lib/prerequisites.sh
@@ -10,12 +10,6 @@ fi
 checkOwner . bridgehead || exit 1
 checkOwner /etc/bridgehead bridgehead || exit 1
 
-if [[ "$(docker compose version 2>/dev/null)" == *"Docker Compose version"* ]]; then
-	COMPOSE="docker compose"
-else
-	COMPOSE="docker-compose"
-fi
-
 ## Check if user is a su
 log INFO "Checking if all prerequisites are met ..."
 prerequisites="git docker $COMPOSE"