diff --git a/Software/Software.ino b/Software/Software.ino
index d7efe9c1..6696ee02 100644
--- a/Software/Software.ino
+++ b/Software/Software.ino
@@ -827,6 +827,13 @@ void handle_contactors() {
   }
 
   unsigned long currentTime = millis();
+
+  if (currentTime < INTERVAL_10_S) {
+    // Skip running the state machine before system has started up.
+    // Gives the system some time to detect any faults from battery before blindly just engaging the contactors
+    return;
+  }
+
   // Handle actual state machine. This first turns on Negative, then Precharge, then Positive, and finally turns OFF precharge
   switch (contactorStatus) {
     case START_PRECHARGE: