diff --git a/src/freedombone-utils-database b/src/freedombone-utils-database
index 377fbc9d..4810f9d2 100755
--- a/src/freedombone-utils-database
+++ b/src/freedombone-utils-database
@@ -177,6 +177,10 @@ function install_mariadb {
     systemctl daemon-reload
     systemctl restart mariadb
 
+    # mariadb daemon seems to occasionally crash
+    # This is a crude attempt to keep it running
+    add_watchdog_daemon mariadb
+
     run_query mysql "CREATE USER 'root@localhost' IDENTIFIED BY '${MARIADB_PASSWORD}'; flush privileges;"
     run_query mysql "update mysql.user set plugin = '' where User='root@localhost'; flush privileges;"
     run_query mysql "GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON * TO 'root@localhost'; flush privileges;"