diff --git a/ironic_inspector/node_cache.py b/ironic_inspector/node_cache.py
index 01d8e6ff7..032f1f690 100644
--- a/ironic_inspector/node_cache.py
+++ b/ironic_inspector/node_cache.py
@@ -682,7 +682,13 @@ def start_introspection(uuid, **kwargs):
                       node_info=node_info)
             state = istate.States.starting
         else:
-            state = node_info.state
+            recorded_state = node_info.state
+            if istate.States.error == recorded_state:
+                # If there was a failure, return to starting state to avoid
+                # letting the cache block new runs from occuring.
+                state = istate.States.starting
+            else:
+                state = recorded_state
         return add_node(uuid, state, **kwargs)
 
 
diff --git a/ironic_inspector/test/unit/test_node_cache.py b/ironic_inspector/test/unit/test_node_cache.py
index f1fdb5e98..0a0132569 100644
--- a/ironic_inspector/test/unit/test_node_cache.py
+++ b/ironic_inspector/test/unit/test_node_cache.py
@@ -1305,6 +1305,17 @@ class TestStartIntrospection(test_base.NodeTest):
                                self.node_info.uuid)
         self.assertFalse(add_node_mock.called)
 
+    @prepare_mocks
+    def test_ensure_start_on_error(self, fsm_event_mock,
+                                   add_node_mock):
+        def side_effect(*args):
+            self.node_info._state = istate.States.error
+
+        fsm_event_mock.side_effect = side_effect
+        node_cache.start_introspection(self.node.uuid)
+        add_node_mock.assert_called_once_with(self.node_info.uuid,
+                                              istate.States.starting)
+
 
 class TestIntrospectionDataDbStore(test_base.NodeTest):
     def setUp(self):
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/fix-cache-error-on-start-27f492ba863d5f92.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/fix-cache-error-on-start-27f492ba863d5f92.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..76a38f395
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/fix-cache-error-on-start-27f492ba863d5f92.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+fixes:
+  - |
+    Fixes an issue where a failed inspection due to a transient failure can
+    prevent retry attempts to inspect to be perceived as a failure. If a prior
+    inspection fails and is in ``error`` state, when a new introspection is
+    requested, the state is now appropriately set to ``starting``.