diff --git a/shell/view/Shell.py b/shell/view/Shell.py
index 9d14a2f3..33279727 100644
--- a/shell/view/Shell.py
+++ b/shell/view/Shell.py
@@ -67,7 +67,12 @@ class Shell(gobject.GObject):
         gobject.idle_add(self._start_journal_idle)
 
     def _start_journal_idle(self):
-        self.start_activity('org.laptop.JournalActivity')
+        registry = activity.get_registry()
+
+        # Checking for the bundle existence will also ensure
+        # that the shell service is started up.
+        if registry.get_activity('org.laptop.JournalActivity'):
+            self.start_activity('org.laptop.JournalActivity')
 
     def _activity_started_cb(self, home_model, home_activity):
         activity_host = ActivityHost(home_activity)