diff --git a/contrib/localnet/docker-compose.yml b/contrib/localnet/docker-compose.yml
index 92cc0b8ef5..720bb3831f 100644
--- a/contrib/localnet/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/contrib/localnet/docker-compose.yml
@@ -33,6 +33,12 @@ services:
     image: zetanode:latest
     container_name: zetacore0
     hostname: zetacore0
+    # force all other containers to start first
+    # they will wait for zetacore0, but not the other way around
+    depends_on:
+      - zetaclient0
+      - zetaclient1
+      - zetacore1
     ports:
       - "1317:1317"
       - "9545:8545"