diff --git a/apps/emqx_machine/src/emqx_machine.erl b/apps/emqx_machine/src/emqx_machine.erl
index 229e8ca7e..fcf8d3239 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_machine/src/emqx_machine.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_machine/src/emqx_machine.erl
@@ -51,9 +51,7 @@ start() ->
 
     ok = print_vsn(),
 
-    ok = start_autocluster(),
-    %% NOTE: keep this to the end
-    ok = emqx_machine_terminator:start().
+    ok = start_autocluster().
 
 graceful_shutdown() ->
     emqx_machine_terminator:graceful_wait().
diff --git a/apps/emqx_machine/src/emqx_machine_app.erl b/apps/emqx_machine/src/emqx_machine_app.erl
index 9a9b13d8f..609df37d1 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_machine/src/emqx_machine_app.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_machine/src/emqx_machine_app.erl
@@ -24,7 +24,9 @@
 
 start(_Type, _Args) ->
     ok = emqx_machine:start(),
-    emqx_machine_sup:start_link().
+    {ok, Sup} = emqx_machine_sup:start_link(),
+    ok = emqx_machine_terminator:start(),
+    {ok, Sup}.
 
 stop(_State) ->
     ok.