diff --git a/lib/rift/Controller.py b/lib/rift/Controller.py
index 02684272..4d22b2b4 100644
--- a/lib/rift/Controller.py
+++ b/lib/rift/Controller.py
@@ -372,17 +372,6 @@ def action_annex(args, config, staff, modules):
         )
         message(f"Annex backup is available here: {output_file}")
 
-def _vm_start(vm):
-    if vm.running():
-        message('VM is already running')
-        return False
-
-    message('Launching VM ...')
-    vm.spawn()
-    vm.ready()
-    vm.prepare()
-    return True
-
 
 class BasicTest(Test):
     """
@@ -477,7 +466,7 @@ def test_one_pkg(config, args, pkg, vm, arch, repos):
     and return results.
     """
     message(f"Preparing {arch} test environment")
-    _vm_start(vm)
+    vm.start()
     if repos.working is None:
         disablestr = '--disablerepo=working'
     else:
@@ -728,7 +717,7 @@ def action_vm(args, config):
         ret = vm.copy(args.source, args.dest)
     elif args.vm_cmd == 'start':
         vm.tmpmode = args.tmpimg
-        if _vm_start(vm):
+        if vm.start():
             message("VM started. Use: rift vm connect")
             ret = 0
     elif args.vm_cmd == 'stop':
diff --git a/lib/rift/VM.py b/lib/rift/VM.py
index 107fb0a3..e312fed6 100644
--- a/lib/rift/VM.py
+++ b/lib/rift/VM.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
 from rift.Config import _DEFAULT_VIRTIOFSD
 from rift.Repository import ProjectArchRepositories
 from rift.TempDir import TempDir
-from rift.utils import download_file, setup_dl_opener
+from rift.utils import download_file, setup_dl_opener, message
 from rift.run import run_command
 
 __all__ = ['VM']
@@ -648,6 +648,21 @@ def unlink(self):
             self._tmpimg.close()
             self._tmpimg = None
 
+    def start(self):
+        """
+        Start VM if not already running. Return True if VM is actually started,
+        False if already running.
+        """
+        if self.running():
+            message('VM is already running')
+            return False
+
+        message('Launching VM ...')
+        self.spawn()
+        self.ready()
+        self.prepare()
+        return True
+
     def restart(self):
         """
         Restart a running VM.
diff --git a/tests/VM.py b/tests/VM.py
index 2179436f..9850a501 100644
--- a/tests/VM.py
+++ b/tests/VM.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 import os
 import shutil
 import atexit
-from unittest.mock import patch
+from unittest.mock import patch, Mock
 
 import platform
 from TestUtils import RiftTestCase, RiftProjectTestCase, make_temp_dir
@@ -335,6 +335,33 @@ def test_gen_qemu_args(self):
                           'virtio-net-device,netdev=hostnet0']
         self.assertEqual(args, expected_args_aarch64)
 
+    @patch('rift.VM.message')
+    def test_start(self, mock_message):
+        """Test VM start not running"""
+        vm = VM(self.config, platform.machine())
+        vm.running = Mock(return_value=False)
+        vm.spawn = Mock()
+        vm.ready = Mock()
+        vm.prepare = Mock()
+        self.assertTrue(vm.start())
+        mock_message.assert_called_once_with("Launching VM ...")
+        vm.spawn.assert_called_once()
+        vm.ready.assert_called_once()
+        vm.prepare.assert_called_once()
+
+    @patch('rift.VM.message')
+    def test_start_running(self, mock_message):
+        """Test VM start already running"""
+        vm = VM(self.config, platform.machine())
+        vm.running = Mock(return_value=True)
+        vm.spawn = Mock()
+        vm.ready = Mock()
+        vm.prepare = Mock()
+        self.assertFalse(vm.start())
+        mock_message.assert_called_once_with("VM is already running")
+        vm.spawn.assert_not_called()
+        vm.ready.assert_not_called()
+        vm.prepare.assert_not_called()
 
 class VMBuildTest(RiftProjectTestCase):
     """