diff --git a/autopilot/migrator.go b/autopilot/migrator.go
index a92ce26d7..7ac0fcf6e 100644
--- a/autopilot/migrator.go
+++ b/autopilot/migrator.go
@@ -111,6 +111,12 @@ func (m *migrator) performMigrations(p *workerPool, cfg api.AutopilotConfig) {
 	})
 	var toMigrate []api.UnhealthySlab
 
+	// ignore a potential signal before the first iteration of the 'OUTER' loop
+	select {
+	case <-m.signalMaintenanceFinished:
+	default:
+	}
+
 OUTER:
 	for {
 		// fetch slabs for migration