diff --git a/scripts/vault/interlay-vault.service b/scripts/vault/interlay-vault.service
index ae1416f7..848f3510 100644
--- a/scripts/vault/interlay-vault.service
+++ b/scripts/vault/interlay-vault.service
@@ -1,10 +1,14 @@
 [Unit]
 Description=Vault servicing issue and redeem requests for Interlay
+Requires=bitcoind.service
+After=bitcoind.service
 After=network.target
 
 [Service]
 Environment="RUST_LOG=info"
 Type=simple
+TimeoutStartSec=30m
+ExecStartPre=/bin/sleep 5s
 ExecStart=/opt/interlay/vault/vault \
   --bitcoin-rpc-url http://localhost:8332 \
   --bitcoin-rpc-user <INSERT_CUSTOM_USERNAME> \
diff --git a/scripts/vault/kintsugi-vault.service b/scripts/vault/kintsugi-vault.service
index 523a7668..3a007228 100644
--- a/scripts/vault/kintsugi-vault.service
+++ b/scripts/vault/kintsugi-vault.service
@@ -1,10 +1,14 @@
 [Unit]
 Description=Vault servicing issue and redeem requests for Kintsugi
+Requires=bitcoind.service
+After=bitcoind.service
 After=network.target
 
 [Service]
 Environment="RUST_LOG=info"
 Type=simple
+TimeoutStartSec=30m
+ExecStartPre=/bin/sleep 5s
 ExecStart=/opt/kintsugi/vault/vault \
   --bitcoin-rpc-url http://localhost:8332 \
   --bitcoin-rpc-user <INSERT_CUSTOM_USERNAME> \
diff --git a/scripts/vault/testnet-interlay-vault.service b/scripts/vault/testnet-interlay-vault.service
index 7eb69909..3c140e48 100644
--- a/scripts/vault/testnet-interlay-vault.service
+++ b/scripts/vault/testnet-interlay-vault.service
@@ -1,10 +1,14 @@
 [Unit]
 Description=Vault servicing issue and redeem requests for interBTC
+Requires=bitcoind.service
+After=bitcoind.service
 After=network.target
 
 [Service]
 Environment="RUST_LOG=info"
 Type=simple
+TimeoutStartSec=30m
+ExecStartPre=/bin/sleep 5s
 ExecStart=/opt/testnet-interlay/vault/vault \
   --bitcoin-rpc-url http://localhost:18332 \
   --bitcoin-rpc-user rpcuser \
diff --git a/scripts/vault/testnet-kintsugi-vault.service b/scripts/vault/testnet-kintsugi-vault.service
index cb44bd27..afa26096 100644
--- a/scripts/vault/testnet-kintsugi-vault.service
+++ b/scripts/vault/testnet-kintsugi-vault.service
@@ -1,10 +1,14 @@
 [Unit]
 Description=Vault servicing issue and redeem requests for interBTC
+Requires=bitcoind.service
+After=bitcoind.service
 After=network.target
 
 [Service]
 Environment="RUST_LOG=info"
 Type=simple
+TimeoutStartSec=30m
+ExecStartPre=/bin/sleep 5s
 ExecStart=/opt/testnet-kintsugi/vault/vault \
   --bitcoin-rpc-url http://localhost:18332 \
   --bitcoin-rpc-user rpcuser \