diff --git a/dockers/docker-platform-monitor/start.sh b/dockers/docker-platform-monitor/start.sh
index fb87083f5cc6..b4023c16367a 100755
--- a/dockers/docker-platform-monitor/start.sh
+++ b/dockers/docker-platform-monitor/start.sh
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ fi
 # If this platform has a fancontrol config file, copy it to it's proper place
 # and start fancontrol
 if [ -e /usr/share/sonic/platform/fancontrol ]; then
+    # Remove stale pid file if it exists
+    rm -f /var/run/fancontrol.pid
+
     /bin/cp -f /usr/share/sonic/platform/fancontrol /etc/
     supervisorctl start fancontrol
 fi