diff --git a/daemon/command/daemon.go b/daemon/command/daemon.go
index 688ddf085d..46646a5d38 100644
--- a/daemon/command/daemon.go
+++ b/daemon/command/daemon.go
@@ -114,6 +114,11 @@ func (cli *daemonCLI) start(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 		debug.Enable()
 	}
 
+	// Verify platform-specific requirements before proceeding with daemon initialization
+	if err := daemon.CheckSystem(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("system requirements not met: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	if rootless.RunningWithRootlessKit() && !cli.Config.IsRootless() {
 		return errors.New("rootless mode needs to be enabled for running with RootlessKit")
 	}
diff --git a/daemon/daemon.go b/daemon/daemon.go
index 44ebd31810..ccfb9fc91a 100644
--- a/daemon/daemon.go
+++ b/daemon/daemon.go
@@ -807,15 +807,15 @@ func (daemon *Daemon) IsSwarmCompatible() error {
 	return daemon.config().IsSwarmCompatible()
 }
 
+// CheckSystem verifies that the system meets the platform-specific requirements
+// for running the Docker daemon.
+func CheckSystem() error {
+	return checkSystem()
+}
+
 // NewDaemon sets up everything for the daemon to be able to service
 // requests from the webserver.
 func NewDaemon(ctx context.Context, config *config.Config, pluginStore *plugin.Store, authzMiddleware *authorization.Middleware) (_ *Daemon, retErr error) {
-	// Verify platform-specific requirements.
-	// TODO(thaJeztah): this should be called before we try to create the daemon; perhaps together with the config validation.
-	if err := checkSystem(); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
 	registryService, err := registry.NewService(config.ServiceOptions)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err