diff --git a/server/core/service.c b/server/core/service.c
index 4ef101085..116db12ae 100644
--- a/server/core/service.c
+++ b/server/core/service.c
@@ -349,8 +349,15 @@ serviceStart(SERVICE *service)
 SERV_PROTOCOL	*port;
 int		listeners = 0;
 
-	service->router_instance = service->router->createInstance(service,
-					service->routerOptions);
+	if ((service->router_instance = service->router->createInstance(service,
+					service->routerOptions)) == NULL)
+	{
+		LOGIF(LE, (skygw_log_write_flush(LOGFILE_ERROR,
+			"%s: Failed to create router instance for service. Service not started.",
+				service->name)));
+		service->state = SERVICE_STATE_FAILED;
+		return NULL;
+	}
 
 	port = service->ports;
 	while (port)
@@ -359,7 +366,10 @@ int		listeners = 0;
 		port = port->next;
 	}
 	if (listeners)
+	{
+		service->state = SERVICE_STATE_STARTED;
 		service->stats.started = time(0);
+	}
 
 	return listeners;
 }
@@ -429,6 +439,7 @@ int		listeners = 0;
 
 		port = port->next;
 	}
+	service->state = SERVICE_STATE_STOPPED;
 
 	return listeners;
 }
@@ -900,7 +911,22 @@ int		i;
 						service->name);
 	dcb_printf(dcb, "\tRouter: 				%s (%p)\n",
 			service->routerModule, service->router);
-	if (service->router)
+	switch (service->state)
+	{
+	case SERVICE_STATE_STARTED:
+		dcb_printf(dcb, "\tState: 					Started\n");
+		break;
+	case SERVICE_STATE_STOPPED:
+		dcb_printf(dcb, "\tState: 					Stopped\n");
+		break;
+	case SERVICE_STATE_FAILED:
+		dcb_printf(dcb, "\tState: 					Failed\n");
+		break;
+	case SERVICE_STATE_ALLOC:
+		dcb_printf(dcb, "\tState: 					Allocated\n");
+		break;
+	}
+	if (service->router && service->router_instance)
 		service->router->diagnostics(service->router_instance, dcb);
 	dcb_printf(dcb, "\tStarted:				%s",
 			asctime_r(localtime_r(&service->stats.started, &result), timebuf));
diff --git a/server/include/service.h b/server/include/service.h
index f68cb0774..33109e742 100644
--- a/server/include/service.h
+++ b/server/include/service.h
@@ -144,6 +144,8 @@ typedef enum count_spec_t {COUNT_NONE=0, COUNT_ATLEAST, COUNT_EXACT, COUNT_ATMOS
 
 #define	SERVICE_STATE_ALLOC	1	/**< The service has been allocated */
 #define	SERVICE_STATE_STARTED	2	/**< The service has been started */
+#define	SERVICE_STATE_FAILED	3	/**< The service failed to start */
+#define	SERVICE_STATE_STOPPED	4	/**< The service has been stopped */
 
 extern	SERVICE *service_alloc(const char *, const char *);
 extern	int	service_free(SERVICE *);