diff --git a/commands.go b/commands.go
index 236f2f532e..dbd4f43926 100644
--- a/commands.go
+++ b/commands.go
@@ -182,6 +182,17 @@ func cmdCreate(c *cli.Context) {
 		log.Fatal("You must specify a machine name")
 	}
 
+	store := NewStore(c.GlobalString("storage-path"))
+
+	exists, err := store.Exists(name)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if exists {
+		log.Fatal("There's already a machine with the same name")
+	}
+
 	keyExists, err := drivers.PublicKeyExists()
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
@@ -191,8 +202,6 @@ func cmdCreate(c *cli.Context) {
 		log.Fatalf("Identity authentication public key doesn't exist at %q. Create your public key by running the \"docker\" command.", drivers.PublicKeyPath())
 	}
 
-	store := NewStore(c.GlobalString("storage-path"))
-
 	host, err := store.Create(name, driver, c)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("Error creating host: %s", err)