diff --git a/src/core/capsicum.c b/src/core/capsicum.c
index 99f7ff0f..f44b326d 100644
--- a/src/core/capsicum.c
+++ b/src/core/capsicum.c
@@ -252,8 +252,15 @@ static void cmd_capsicum(const char *data, SERVER_REC *server, void *item)
 
 static void cmd_capsicum_enter(void)
 {
+	u_int mode;
 	int error;
 
+	error = cap_getmode(&mode);
+	if (error == 0 && mode != 0) {
+		g_warning("Already in capability mode");
+		return;
+	}
+
 	error = start_symbiont();
 	if (error != 0) {
 		signal_emit("capability mode failed", 1, strerror(errno));