diff --git a/drivers/source/Watchdog.cpp b/drivers/source/Watchdog.cpp
index 670702f..3f21b94 100644
--- a/drivers/source/Watchdog.cpp
+++ b/drivers/source/Watchdog.cpp
@@ -34,10 +34,6 @@
     MBED_ASSERT(timeout > 0);
 
     core_util_critical_section_enter();
-    if (_running) {
-        core_util_critical_section_exit();
-        return false;
-    }
     watchdog_config_t config;
     config.timeout_ms = timeout;
     watchdog_status_t sts = hal_watchdog_init(&config);
@@ -45,7 +41,7 @@
         _running = true;
     }
     core_util_critical_section_exit();
-    return _running;
+    return (sts == WATCHDOG_STATUS_OK);
 }
 
 bool Watchdog::start()