diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
index dfc9630f55..393c35c60f 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl.c
@@ -3603,7 +3603,9 @@ static int start_special(int argc, char *argv[], void *userdata) {
 
         } else if (a == ACTION_KEXEC) {
                 r = load_kexec_kernel();
-                if (r < 0)
+                if (r < 0 && arg_force >= 1)
+                        log_notice("Failed to load kexec kernel, continuing without.");
+                else if (r < 0)
                         return r;
 
         } else if (a == ACTION_EXIT && argc > 1) {